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Book_ 5 _ 

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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 































MY EXPERIENCES 






















MY EXPERIENCES WHILE 
OUT OF MY BODY 

AND 

MY RETURN AFTER MANY DAYS 

BY A T 

REV. CORA L. V. RICHMOND 


PART II. 

AND SECOND EDITION OF 
PART I. 



die Christopher Publishing House 
Boston, U. S. A. 















Copyright 1923 

By The Christopher Publishing House 



/v., _^_ 

(( MADE IN AMERICA 

^ .. ' -- ~ 

OCT 19’23 

©C1A759406 









Dedication 

PRIMARILY 

< ) 

TO MY HEAVENLY GUIDES: 

Those Teachers and Inspirers who, in 
early childhood, awakened and have unfold¬ 
ed the Spiritual gifts that were mine, and 
have borne forward to the present hour the 
work appointed me to do; and 

TO THOSE BELOVED FRIENDS 

who, having received the ministration 
through my humble instrumentality have 
constantly given from hearts and hands the 
sympathy and aid needed to perform that 
work—and during the feebleness of the 
body have sent strength and succor; and 
especially to the beloved and loving friends: 
DR. CHAS. H. BUSHNELL, whose skill, 
healing power and faithful attendance were 
given without stint or measure and most 
lovingly, SARAH J. ASHTON, co-worker 
for more than a quarter of a century, As¬ 
sistant Pastor of my Congregation and, 
above all else, faithful, devoted friend, with¬ 
out whose unfailing care and constant help¬ 
fulness for long months my spirit could not 
have returned to its human habitation to 
take up its assigned work, 

This imperfect record of experiences is 
most lovingly and gratefully inscribed. 

CORA L. V. RICHMOND. 











FOREWORD 


When the first book was published (Part 
I. of this Volume) containing an account 
of “my experiences while out of my body/ 
etc., there was an intimation in the “added 
word or two” that other and deeper Ex¬ 
periences might be published as the writer 
had already mady the effort to write them. 

It seemed then, and it now seems, that 
such an attempt woud be almost sacrilig- 
eous, as it certainly is impossible of accom¬ 
plishment, to adequately convey in human 
language any idea of what those ex¬ 
periences were; what it really is to be 
there. 

Vouchsafed to me from above and it 
seemed a part of the incentive for return¬ 
ing to my body that they were to be tran¬ 
scribed, as far as possible, for others to 
read and to have thereby a glimpse of those 
surpassing states, the attempt was made. 

Part I.—The little book of Experiences in 
the Spirit States connected with earth— 
has gone forth on its mission of conveying 
a message to those who read it of some¬ 
what that can be known concerning spirit 
states, even while here in the mundane en¬ 
vironment. 

Many of the personal messages entrusted 
to the writer have already been delivered 







8 


FOREWORD 


to the loved ones in human life to whom 
they were sent, other messages are waiting 
the available opportunity,. as those mes¬ 
sages must all be delivered in person. 

Surpassing as were those experiences 
during that prolonged visit to the spirit 
states that immediately follow the transi¬ 
tion of spirits from the human form the 
meeting and communing with loved ones of 
the earth-home and of the larger household 
of the spirit, there were other and more 
wondrous experiences of such transcend¬ 
ent beauty and intensity of interest that 
they baffle every resource of description at 
ones command. 

One must however, make the attempt to 
convey, though it be in the smallest degree, 
the supervision received from those Divine 
States and that still remain and must ever 
constitute a portion of the Soul’s Eternal 
possessions. 

I trust it will not be deemed presumptious 
that this inadequate portrayal was at¬ 
tempted, for at the very commencement of 
the experiences in those higher states the 
one who was known as the Angel Guide 
caused it to be distinctly understood that: 

“None but Angels can have real know¬ 
ledge of or enter into the Angelic State; but 
those who are faithful to their Spiritual 
gifts and to the fulfillment of their duty ia 
presenting the Truth to their fellow beings 
as it is given them, may be inspired and il- 















FOREWORD 


9 


lumined to perceive and know (according to 
their Spiritual unfoldment) somewhat 
concerning those Lower and Higher 
Realms; therefore you, as a student and 
faithful Instrument, Beloved one, are given 
these glimpses into the “Realm Celestial.” 

Let the above paragraphs be my justifi¬ 
cation (if it is needed) for attempting to 
portray the indescribable, ineffable wonders 
of that Realm. 


CORA L. V. RICHMOND 












MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY 
BODY AND MY RETURN 
AFTER MANY DAYS 


Part I. 

THE RELEASE 

It was true then: I was suddenly and 
finally released from my body; “this time / 7 
I said, or thought: “I will not have to re¬ 
turn . 77 

Many times, almost numberless, I had ex¬ 
perienced the wonderful consciousness of 
being absent from my human form, of 
mingling with arisen friends in their higher 
state of existence, but, until this time I had 
always known that it was only for a brief 
season and that their was a tie—a vital and 
psychic tie—binding me to return to my 
earth form. But now; now; could it be 
true? Was I set free to live and work with 
the Beloved-—the dear ones—in this their 
higher, more perfect state? 

The Best Beloved, those who had preced¬ 
ed me into this wondrous life, came 
thronging around, by degrees, to welcome 
me: not all at once, but first those who were 
by tenderest ties the nearest and the dear¬ 
est. 
















12 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 

They did not answer my question: “Have 
I really come to stay”? 

The Guide—the Guardian, took me gently 
in charge that I might not even think of the 
form I had so lately left. A great sense of 
relief; of being set free from the limitations 
of the body, filled me, far greater than I had 
ever experienced before. A feeling per¬ 
vaded me that all of me was released. It 
surely seemed that my work in the human 
body was done: that the last word was spok¬ 
en, the last pen-stroke made. 

0, the wonder, the unspeakable joy of 
thus being united with the Beloved—those 
"whom I knew had never died, but had 
thrown off their garments of dust for the 
more beautiful raiment of the spirit! 

In a narrative written for others to read 
one cannot dwell minutely on the sacred 
meetings with those who were ever nearest 
and dearest; those of the household, related 
by ties of consanguinity and those who were 
kindred in spirit, united to one in thought 
and aspiration. All that such reunion 
means, more than can be dreamed or imag¬ 
ined where one is in the human state, was 
now my possession. 

“Turn away, turn away from all thought 
of the Earth-form;” said the one appointed 
to lead and guide me in this newer, grander 
flight. 

One by one—or in groups—the dear ones 
of the Earth-home joined us, welcoming me 





MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 13 


ever, yet ever evading the oft recurring 
question, “Am I really here to stay?” 

My attention was continually attracted to 
some group or company that had not been 
seen by me—always a surprise to find them 
“all there.” They would smile and seem to 
answer, “Yes, all here,” in our own parti- 
cular states, and doing our own appointed 
work.” 

THE VASTNESS OF THE SPIRIT 

REALM 

There was a perception of great Light, a 
consciousness of Illumination, an awaken¬ 
ing to the vastness, the unlimitation of this 
Realm of Spirit. 

0 how often, when in “dreams” or “vi¬ 
sions” I had been permitted and aided by my 
Guides to visit the Spirit States, this inner 
and higher Realm, I had longed to remain! 
But ever willing to answer the call of duty, 
of added work to be performed by me, I 
would return to fill my place at the appoint¬ 
ed time. NOW; NOW?— 

All else was swallowed up—eclipsed by 
the wonderful experiences that came—the 
Beloved Presences—the vistas of luminous 
Spirits! This was a state of Super-Con¬ 
sciousness; the awakening of faculties and 
perceptions before unknown, of being 
aware, almost without limitation: of 
KNOWING. Whatever is the nature and 











14 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 

state of the real Ego this seemed as near to 
the Absolute as one could well conceive! 
There was so much of me! There was so 
little of me! There were so many and such 
surpassing Spirits! How one shrinks in 
the presences of the mighty ones! How one 
expands in the Knowledge of the Infinite: 
His Image! 

Often in approaching a trancendent 
Light there would appear an atmosphere of 
ensphering tints—there would also seem to 
be a sphere of sound, of surpassing music. 
On being admitted to that sphere it would 
prove to be a group of spirits who thus in 
accord are Light and Harmony. Where one 
can enter such an “atmosphere” communing 
with such a group it is because one has need 
of and is in harmony with the spirits of that 
group. 

SENSES MERGED IN PERCEPTION 

Objective scenes seemed ever to be adapt¬ 
ations to my state, and would often vanish 
as I became aware of the minds or spirits 
suggested by the scenes. 

“All human sensations, as sight and hear¬ 
ing, are readily perceived by one awakening 
to spiritual states to be but manifestations 
of consciousness through the physical limit¬ 
ations to which the spirit in its mental 
states of earth becomes accustomed. But 
here all is merged in perception—where one 



MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 15 


perceives and understands,” thus said the 
Guide. 

This added consciousness—uniting or re¬ 
leasing the faculties—is not all at once: I 
found myself thinking in the accustomed 
channels, in words as well as thoughts, list¬ 
ening for replies instead of knowing that 
the answer had been thought to me, really 
was there before I had questioned; of look¬ 
ing for beautiful forms and scenes instead 
of perceiving the Soul of Beauty which was 
(is) everywhere. 

I became more and more aware that the 
whole of me, released from the fetters of 
the bodily senses, could perceive and receive 
more perfectly the answer to every ques¬ 
tion, even before its formulation in thought. 

“Formulation is a process of limitation, 
sometimes of hindrance,” said the Guide. 
“A feeble comparison of what 'perception 7 ' 
really is may be found in an artist (of 
Earth) whose prepared mind (and there¬ 
fore vision) sees the beauty in a landscape, 
a sunset sky that another sees not at all, or 
dimly. Prepared senses are the result of 
prepared minds, of being pervaded by the 
awareness of the Spirit, 77 said the Presence. 

It is of little avail, however, to attempt to 
bring into outward forms of thought and 
expression the perceptions one is aware of 
while one is in that inner state, excepting 
that they relate to conditions under which 
those loved and loving ones in that state can 












16 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 

reach and change for the better the sorrow¬ 
ing hearts in human life, the shadowed con¬ 
ditions of earth existence. 

THE BODY IN CHARGE OF 
GUARDIANS 

After a time (I did not know it as time) I 
became aware of being led to where the 
earthly form was still breathing, being 
cared for and imbued with breath by a be¬ 
loved Guardian spirit and by devoted 
friends in human life. I was to return af¬ 
ter all! It was necessary to keep my spirit 
en rapport with the body as the Psychic 
Cord was not severed that connected body 
and spirit. But not at once was I to return. 

These periods of calling my attention to 
and visiting the body were brief—just 
enough to keep the 'Vital spark” alive, and 
aid the dear attendants in both worlds to 
prevent the complete separation which for 
many days seemed imminent. 

A VAST CONGREGATION 

It is well known to those who may be in¬ 
terested in reading these pages that during 
all the years of my mortal life (since the age 
of eleven) I have been brought before audi¬ 
ences and assemblies of people—many thou¬ 
sands; among them were hundreds who be¬ 
came friends—some of them life-long, some 



MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 17 


of later years. I had known of the “pass¬ 
ing on” of very many who had been mem¬ 
bers of those audiences and of my own 
“Flock,” but I was not prepared for the vast 
congregation that came out of their respec¬ 
tive groups composing a still greater con¬ 
course to meet me, nor was I prepared to 
realize that I knew most of them as friends 
on Earth! 

There were those who had heard the 
utterances of my Guides through my lips 
when I was a child; those who had attended 
and were my personal friends when I was 
“still in my teens”; and those who in later 
years had been of the audiences in many 
places; and those of my own beloved Con¬ 
gregation ! 

How difficult to realize that they were all 
gathered into the larger “Congregation of 
the skies.” Each and all unfolding, work¬ 
ing in whatever line of knowledge and work 
was theirs to attain and achieve! And to 
find all the treasured jewels of friendship 
more bright in the added lustre of the larg¬ 
er life; the flowers in the Garden of true 
Affection growing more and more trans¬ 
cendency fair! 

This is indeed Heaven! Next in blessed¬ 
ness to the Homes of the Best Beloved 
which are the very Kingdom of Heaven! 




18 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 

MINISTRATIONS OF SPIRITS 

It was wondrous to note the ministra¬ 
tions of spirits to those in other less fortu¬ 
nate states—especially to those in Earthly 
forms. Wherever the ties of consanguin¬ 
ity were also of real affection the spirit 
guardians of the household responded to the 
“call,” perhaps only a thought, a longing, or 
a silent prayer for aid and strength, or a 
need unknown to the one ministered unto. 

Time is not a factor on the spirit side, the 
response to a need—an aspiration, a prayer 
is instantaneous. Where there seems to be 
delay, and often doubt in the minds of those 
on Earth as to the presence and ministra¬ 
tion of the loved one who has been sum¬ 
moned, it is because of Earthly barriers, be¬ 
cause those in the human state cannot per¬ 
ceive—and many, alas, are not willing to 
receive the spirit friend. I saw that the us¬ 
ual barriers are: Uncontrolled, selfish grief 
—mourning for the one who has “passed on” 
and often forgetting the other dear ones of 
the household who are left; seeking for the 
communion to forward a purely selfish pur¬ 
pose; and, in general, the obstruction of 
false education, theological and material, 
through which the spiritual faculties have 
been closed for generations. 

When human hands and hearts, even 
though the latter is wrung by pain, seek to 
help others who are in sorrow or need, then 



MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 19 

the way is opened and the helpers are help¬ 
ed by the ministering ones. 

To mourn the friend as utterly “gone* 5 
who has only dropped the outer garments of 
the dust is to close, for the time, the avenue 
of communication or ministration. Long 
must the spirit helpers work and wait for 
people to* be ready to receive their response 
to tKe call for aid. So many did I see who 
could not reach the recognition of their 
loved ones that I wished over and over again 
that there were more real “Message bear¬ 
ers,more to give comfort to those that 
mourn! And then the Presence answered: 
“Not all are ready to whom the Messages 
now are given, nor are thpse protected ade¬ 
quately who are the chosen Instruments for 
Message bearing, but the seed is being sown 
and will take root in thousands of lives.” 

THOUGHT-FORMS 

I was shown those who existed in the 
thought-forms and scenes of their recent 
human states: Such as these were surround¬ 
ed with the “things” (forms of things) fam¬ 
iliar to them on Earth, and apparently 
necessary to their happiness even in the new 
state of existence. These scenes illustrated 
that our lives even in the human state, con¬ 
sist largely of “state of mind,” that we see 
the things we are. accustomed to see, or have 
trained our minds or wishes to see omitting 







20 MY EXPERIEN CES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 

many and sometimes most of the things of 
beauty and of import that we might see.. 

The spirit-states that are “exactly like 
the scenes of Earth” are composed of the 
thought forms of the spirits' imaging or 
reproduction, and are the reality to them. 
I recalled the weaving of a web that I had 
once seen an industrious spider perfect and 
he was afterwards caught in his own web. 
I wondered if we are not often in human 
life—and the states that immediately fol¬ 
low the weavers of many such “cobwebs”? 
These thought-webs seemed to proceed 
from the minds of the spirits fashioning 
them and in which the spirits seemed to be 
ensphered, sometimes enshadowed. Before 
my questionings had taken form in my 
mind the answer came from the Presence: 
“No, they are not enmeshed by the thought- 
forms; their creation is the result of the 
present condition; remove the power to 
produce thought-forms, i.e., to create ones 
own environment and you remove all act¬ 
ivity of mind. As the Spirit unfolds the 
thought-forms change and then disappear 
as perception takes the place of limitation 
by the senses.” 

With the almost axiomatic proposition 
that “our world of life is what we make it” 
our spirit-surroundings and conditions the 
result of our states of unfoldment, it be¬ 
came less difficult even when returning to 
the limitations of human organism to un- 



MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 21 


derstand the conditions of existence in the 
“next stage” of personal experience beyond 
the “transition” misnamed “death.” 

Spirit states are as varied as are the per¬ 
sonal states of those composing them; the 
knowledge—or lack of it—possessed by the 
person IS the spirit state, i. e., knowledge 
of spiritual principles. 

Oh, if one could coin new words, or new 
understandings, in order better to express 
that which one knows when set free from 
Earthly environment! Yes, the New Un¬ 
derstanding; that is the great need; and 
that must really be attained by unfoldment, 
growth from within, the pervading all illu¬ 
minating power of the spirit. 

Those in spirit states who were repro¬ 
ducing the familiar scenes of their Earth 
conditions were satisfied and even very 
happy—especially when the scenes so re¬ 
produced were of a nature that had brought 
their ability to make things seem “exactly 
as they did in Earth life,” not even know¬ 
ing that this similitude was the result of 
their own thought-forms instead of being 
inherent or organic in the “spirit land.” 

Interesting and absorbing as were these 
lessons of observing, the process of weav¬ 
ing their thoughts into the forms most de¬ 
sired or needed by the spirits producing 
them, there were many whose reproduc¬ 
tions were of the shadowed kind and were 
not voluntary, but results of the deep im- 


22 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 

press that the shadows of Earth-experi¬ 
ences had made upon their minds. vNo one 
illustration could serve—but all states and 
conditions that I could realize were shown. 

TIME NOT A FACTOR 

Time does not seem to be a factor in the 
realm of spirits except as related to people 
and events in the human state with which 
spirits have connection. 

It was, however, a source of continual 
wonder and suprise to note the changing 
forms and atmospheres in the surroundings 
of those with whom I was brought in con¬ 
tact. I saw spirits who, when in Earth-life 
had been in positions of external power— 
usually considered “exalted”—as of kings 
or rulers—the result of no “merit” or a- 
chievement of their own, but the “incident” 
or “accident” of birth, who were arrayed 
in their own thought-robes of power, but 
closer observation would reveal the poverty 
and meagerness of their “Robes of Roy¬ 
alty” and they were sometimes seeking 
somewhat with which to clothe themselves, 
something to conceal their paucity of rai¬ 
ment and surroundings. Most of those, 
however, who had held such positions as 
are the result of “titles,” “rank” and 
“castes,” seemed endowed with perception 
enough to know that those external condi¬ 
tions are not perpetuated in spirit states, 










MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 23 

unless one has become so imbued with the 
idea that “titles,” “wealth,” and out¬ 
ward “honors” are valuable in themselves. 
And that the “Divine Right of Kings” is in¬ 
deed a “right” derived from Heaven. 

THE TRULY GREAT ARE HUMBLE 

I saw many of those who had been poor 
in worldly possessions, even despised and 
scorned among men or put to death be¬ 
cause of their advocacy of an unpopular 
“cause” now radiant in their own spiritual 
brightness, unconsciously 

“Wearing their sunbright thoughts 
For Robes of Royalty.” 

Ah! How beautiful were they! These 
of the shining faces and radiant hearts! 
Ever intent on trying to aid humanity, 
whether in shadowed spirit states or in 
Earthly conditions. 

One may not give the names (even if one 
knew them) by which these in the various 
spirit states were known on Earth. I saw 
many who were knowm to be Great: Great 
in thoughts, deeds and words for the en¬ 
lightenment of their fellow-beings. Ever 
were they humble, as ever are the truly 
Great. None in spirit life are outwardly 
adorned with the “honors” given to them 
or their “memory” by a tardy World. The 
truly exalted are far too intent on ameli¬ 
orating the adverse conditions of spirit and 














24 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 

human states to take note of the praise and 
pomp of Earthly “celebrations” in “mem¬ 
ory” of them, sometimes tardily bestowed. 

To be truly Beloved by an individual, a 
country or a world is indeed blessed, and 
exalted souls do know and understand the 
true meaning of being “appreciated and 
beloved.” 

The Light of the Shining ones, the Great 
ones, is not dimmed in the brightness of the 
higher spheres, for they are of its light a 
part. 

SPIRIT GROUPS AND INSPIRERS 

It is because of the spirit possessions that 
those of kindred thoughts, perceptions, as¬ 
pirations are attracted to each other and 
form groups—not conventional or arbi¬ 
trary—interchanging ideas—purposes— 
and working together for others. I saw 
them “moving upon” the minds of those in 
Earth-forms whom they could reach, some¬ 
times singly, some times in groups, as the 
conditions might require. The Student in 
his library, the Inventor in his “work shop” 
or laboratory, the “Discoverer” in his Ob¬ 
servatory searching for new worlds or on 
ships of “exploration” sailing for Unknown 
lands, more particulary those who are seek¬ 
ing to solve the vexed “problems” of human 
life. 

Ah! It was indeed a scene of wonder to 









MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 25 

see each and every spirit thus intent on do¬ 
ing good to his kind, imparting some need¬ 
ed thought, some “clue” or “thread” of an 
intricate proposition that would solve the 
whole! Long are these “Inventions” and 
“discoveries” known in Spirit states before 
the one is “born” into human life that can 
give them outward Expression. How lu¬ 
minous seemed the .Atmospheres of Spirit 
thus surrounding those in Earth life when 
the Heavenly presences were near! And 
such lives are always luminous in their own 
brightness or the Higher ones could not 
“draw near” and inspire them. 

The people know the names of some of 
those now on Earth whose “discoveries,” 
“inventions,” and works have transformed 
the world! Those arisen ones who aid in 
bearing forward the Works Beautiful, di¬ 
rect their thoughts to such as are ready in 
Earth life. Here are the “Thinkers,” 
whose knowledge of the Truths of the Uni¬ 
verse constitutes the source of all power, 
Ideas that born of those Truths reach the 
minds, prepared to receive them and move 
the world. We saw and paused among as¬ 
semblies, groups pursuing their usual 
course of conferring, interchanging of 
ideals and preparing to impart more and 
more the knowledge that is theirs—as 
minds are prepared to receive them. 

Knowledge is imparted by adaptation. 






26 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 

All such imparting of knowledge must be 
by adaptation. The Spirit is attracted— 
would be from the very nature of the Spirit 
—to the one best prepared to receive from 
that Spirit. Thus the subtle law of impart¬ 
ing knowledge by adaptation governs the 
realm of spirit and constitutes the basis of 
deciding concerning “Guides,” “Guardian 
Spirits,” and all “ministering ones.” Affec¬ 
tion determines the intimate personal 
guardians. 

FROM SPIRIT TO SPIRIT 

It was most interesting and enlightening 
to see—as I was permitted to witness—a 
number of those who are in human states 
receiving from luminous and illuminating 
spirits some new application of science or 
art, some new presentation of Truth! The 
minds of Earth so impressed are not nar¬ 
rowly questioning “from whence do the 
ideas come”? Fearful, if from another mind 
that those receiving them may “lose their 
Individuality.” Such minds know that 
Truths belong to minds—and that some¬ 
where are greater minds than one’s own— 
who can impart knowledge. Truth is the 
common heritage of souls; of Intelligence; 
and happy is the mind, spirit or Angel that 
can perceive or receive it from any source. 
Intelligence alone perceives and imparts In¬ 
telligence. 



MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 27 

The process of imparting knowledge 
from spirit to spirit (whether those impart¬ 
ing and receiving are in spirit states or still 
in Earth forms), grows ever more and 
more interesting as one passes into greater 
awakening and perception of the realities, 
the verities of spirit. ‘‘Teaching,” “Edu¬ 
cation” (in the human sense) only exists in 
states or conditions in the spirit realm 
where the human methods and forms of 
thought still govern the minds of the 
spirits. 

Love is the great Illuminator in ah 
realms and worlds, and thus adaptation of 
Teacher and the one to be taught must be 
the keynote to all reception of knowledge. 

One would like to say so much while com¬ 
paring the “Educational” process of spirit 
states with the methods of Earth (excellent 
as some of the latter have become); but 
one must hasten to record added experi¬ 
ences while they are near to the outward 
consciousness from within. For when one 
enters again into daily life of Earth, even 
although is is ever pervaded by those sur¬ 
passing scenes, the vividness of the higher 
state becomes dimmed by the necessary 
veiling that human conditions bring. 

THERE IS AN ANSWER FOR EVERY 

QUESTION 

Everything that I wished to know found 
ready answer; even before the wish was 















28 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 

formed into thought. I could realize that 
the answer came from the Guide, who was 
my teacher by adaptation. I could realize 
that for every real aspiration there is ever 
an answer; in fact that the answer from 
within and above prompts the aspiration, 
the wish to know. That there is a solution 
for every so-called “problem”; for, in the 
final analysis, there are no “problems”—ex¬ 
cept states of non-perception. 

All this and a thousand times more of 
inward awakening came to me as I grew in 
the perception of the Knowledge of the 
Spirit. 

“THOSE WHO LOVE THEIR FELLOW- 

BEINGS” 

I saw a countless multitude growing 
brighter, more resplendant, as I was led 
nearer. Among them were those more 
radiant than the others—greater, it seem¬ 
ed, in the scope and power of their spirits. 

I recognized—not always from personal 
knowledge on Earth—some of the individ¬ 
uals who were there, centers of groups of 
radiant ones, those who, when in Earth 
life “loved their fellowmen”; and who, by 
word and deed had sought to overcome the 
errors and abuses heaped upon humanity. 
Their battles with tongue and pen (no 
armaments or weapons of war), their shin¬ 
ing armors of Righteousness—were finally 


MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 29 


known and appreciated by many minds 
(souls) on Earth.* 

One whom I had known from early child¬ 
hood came toward me with the group of his 
friends and relatives, whom I had also 
known. He greeted ,me as he was ever 
wont to do when we both were in Earth 
forms. Though advanced in years before 
he left the form, he was ever youthful, ever 
calm and peaceful; yet firm and forceful in 
his advocacy of his convictions of Human 
Brotherhood, and the final triumph of the 
spirit over errors of human conditions in 
Time and Sense. By those who knew his 
life and works he was considered a “lead¬ 
ing and inspiring mind”; to many he was a 
Prophet of the “Good time Coming.” How 
my spirit thrilled with this meeting with 
him and his household and the group of 
friends who were with him. One question 
I had often asked in mind, or had wished to 
know concerning it: 

Had he—this friend with whom I was 
then conversing, met in spirit states the one 
who in a distant land of Earth had said: 

“-is the greatest man 

America ever possessed”? 

The one who said this to a prominent 
writer was also a “lover of his fellow men,” 
but the two had never met in Earth life. 
The question was not asked; before it could 
be formulated the answer came: “Yes, we 
have met and often confer together. In all 










30 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 

essentials relating to the Supreme Realities 
of life and the growth of human beings to¬ 
ward perfection through knowledge of Di¬ 
vine Truth and Love we are in perfect ac¬ 
cord.” I then perceived from among that 
goodly company the one approaching of 
whom we had been speaking; our thought 
of him and our appreciation had attracted 
him to us. Long and earnestly they spoke 
of the things to be when the children of 
Earth shall be set free from the shadows 
caused by ignorance. I more and more 
perceived some of the personalities of those 
illuminated ones, and more than once was I 
surprised that those who had been of such 
widely different conditions, environment, 
education, habits of mind, and, one would 
think, opposite spiritual states could be to¬ 
gether ! 

The Presence aware that the surprise 
would exist, said: 

“As you already know, differences of 
birth, nationality, outward rank and even 
of education, are not real differences in 
spirit. These are (and were) all lovers of 
their kind—lovers of Peace through En¬ 
lightenment and Righteousness, and they 
are now, as they were when on Earth con¬ 
stantly seeking through interchange of 
high Ideals, to find the best means for help¬ 
ing others—to lift the clouds of ignorance 
from the minds of earth; even now one is 
within your vision whose presence here will 



MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 31 


surprise you.” I saw a stately form and 
recognized the one who, as the head of a 
great Ecclesiastical organization had in the 
“Prayer for Peace” issued a short time be¬ 
fore he had passed from his Earth-form 
given the following significant sentence: 

“MAY THEY (THE NATIONS) RE¬ 
MOVE THE CAUSES OF WAR.” 

As a lover of humanity, a promoter of 
Peace, he seemed to stand near these shin¬ 
ing ones, many of whom when on earth 
(and now) have never recognized any Ec¬ 
clesiastical Authority. Of course, I knew 
that any such lines, barriers, and human 
standards are removed—or rapidly vanish 
—in spirit states among Enlightened 
minds. And that they realize, as this one 
must have realized, that the Earthly 
“Office” and all its outward symbols and 
adornments cannot continue in a realm 
where the real nature stands revealed—the 
nature of the spirit. 

All these composing this radiant assem¬ 
blage were intent on reaching and for their 
good, acting upon the minds of those on 
Earth for the “Promotion of Peace on 
Earth and Love to All.” 

Alas and alas! “Those engaged in actual 
war—the war raging between one-half the 
nations of the Earth that call themselves 
‘enlightened’ cannot be reached until the 
leaders and rulers have learned the lesson 


32 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 

taught by bitter experienced So the Pres¬ 
ence said, and so I had perceived, saddened 
by the thoughts of the awful human suffer¬ 
ing that must ensue. 

THE SHADOWS OF THE CONFLICT 

Then I was shown the dense Shadow— 
the awful darkness that seemed an engulf¬ 
ing abyss: the scenes of the conflict now 
raging on Earth. That which I saw (then 
just begun), seemed, however, more to rep¬ 
resent the spiritual and mental states of 
Rulers and Leaders than the physical 
scenes of battles. I saw the bright spots 
where the ministrants of mercy were rally¬ 
ing, regardless of nationality or “class,” to 
aid those physically wounded, to breathe a 
word of comfort to those injured mortally 
who were “passing on.” 

Above the terrible scenes of battles I saw 
those in the “rank and file” of the armies 
and navies who were so suddenly wrenched 
from their bodies. Their first thoughts (as 
their last thoughts had been), were of those 
loved ones from whom they were so sudden¬ 
ly parted when ordered “to the front.” 
They were aided to find the dear ones (alas 
where were the “homes”? now desolate. 
Many of the families scattered and in deep¬ 
est suffering, great physical want, and 
greater grief.) 

They tried, often without avail, to com- 





MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 33 

fort and aid the dear ones, their own states 
of mind and grief over the separation pre¬ 
venting them from effectively ministering 
to their loved ones. They soon become 
aware that the aid could not be material, 
that spiritual strength and consolation 
must be from spiritual sources and that 
they might, if themselves strong in spirit, 
move upon the minds of others in human 
life to aid those dear to them. 

It was a wonderful sight to behold the 
ministering spirits succoring, comforting, 
instructing those thus suddenly thrust into 
spirit states; none but those endowed with 
the Divine Gifts of loving compassion—like 
a Florence Nightingale or a Clara Barton 
—could so successfully aid those spirits 
thus ruthlessly torn from their human ties 
and forms. It is an awful sight! Yet the 
spirit “Rescuers” are there! The “Red 
Cross” of the skies finds its way to those 
^ho need the help and guidance. 

In a measure the Soldiers, all who must 
go to war on land or sea, are better pre¬ 
pared for the sudden change than those 
hurled into spirit life by “accident” of ship¬ 
wreck or other disaster, or by volcanic or 
earthquake shock. The Soldier knows 
that he is to confront possible and even pro-* 
bable physical death—and being thus pre» 
pared often is less surprised and shocked 
when he finds himself “out of his body.” 
Yet, wherever the need may be, the “strong 












34 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 

helpers” are there: above every scene of 
human sacrifice, whether Cataclysmic* 
“natural causes” or the result of human 
ignorance and neglect, or the self-seeking 
aggression of war, there are they—the 
dear ones, the strong ones, the saving ones! 

All cannot be aided to at once perceive 
the new-found condition: everything must 
depend on the degree of spiritual prepared¬ 
ness, which is often greater among the 
humble and lowly—who has a line of simple 
life, simple love, simple duty to follow than 
among the more complex mental and moral 
states of the “leaders.” The real state, 
spiritually, determines the “condition” of 
the spirit in spirit life. 

Nor were the “clouded” and “shadowed” 
scenes of Earth life found alone above the 
lines of battle. There were sometimes 
deeper shadows among the scenes of 
“pleasure” and “mirth,” mocking splendor 
of wealth and its opposite of want, squalor, 
misery, the toll of human sacrifice is not al¬ 
ways in the “death” of the body. There are 
vortices more terrible than the volcano's 
fiery breath or earthquake's yawning 
mouth; the palace often seemed more 
densely shadowed than the hovel; while 
the dwelling, though a cottage, brightened 
with Love shone out like a star of splendor. 

“Spiritual knowledge, the unfoldment of 
the highest from within, this alone can 
change the “shadowed states” of Earth in- 





MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 35 

to brightness. Every life must be reached; 
every mind touched and awakened by the 
spirit; the “good” that is within each must 
be brought forth.” 

TURNING FOR RESPITE 

( 

From the storm-scenes of contending 
forces, from the darkness of Spiritual 
night, from the uncertain states, like dim 
twilight, one ever turns in spirit to the Be¬ 
loved, to the groups of loved and loving 
ones that constitute the “Home of the 
Spirit.” “Spiritual rest is change,” respite 
from witnessing the unhappy conditions, 
the shadows of spiritual states that one 
cannot at once remedy. “Rest” is not idle¬ 
ness: communion, companionship, working 
together for those who can be aided —this 
is rest. The “Home Group” ever intent up¬ 
on ministering wherever and whenever 
needed, afforded the respite sought. Such 
memories of Earth-experiences as had been 
kept alive in the sacred altar-flame of true 
affection and home ties; such interchange of 
Ideals and experiences as the later years 
had brought; such knowledge of the blend¬ 
ing of the spirit and the mortal states, the 
guardianship and ministration of the loved 
arisen ones over those in Earth-forms, this 
was rest. Blessed respite; blessed com¬ 
munion ; one would never be ready, it would 
seem, to part with such companionship. 







36 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 

Nor do we ever “part” with the truly 
loved. Whatever duties we must perform 
for those in spirit or human states, those 
most in accord, those nearest and dearest 
are ever with us “whether in or out of the 
body.” , 

Our human phrases, and even our usual 
thoughts seem superficial, weak and puer¬ 
ile when endeavoring to describe the divine 
realities of the Spirit. We never “part”; 
we can never be “absent” from the Beloved. 
Yet the shadows of human existence: “time 
and sense,” and outward “change” and “cir¬ 
cumstances” are upon those who make “the 
house of clay” the limit of their mental and 
spiritual possessions. 

REUNION WITH LOVERS OF “PEACE” 

Returning again and often to the bright 
sphere composed of “those who love their 
fellow-beings”; from among them came 
those whom I had known—with whom I 
had, as a humble worker labored for some 
cause—this time a few, especially two or 
three last seen in Earth life at the Hague 
Peace Conference ,(1907). “Ah, how well 
we then knew—as well as even now when 
the conflict rages—that the nations (44 in 
number) were not all, indeed but few of 
them, seeking for ‘peace’; the permanent 
establishment of a Court of Arbitration for 
the world! Each was there to “test” the 





MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 37 

others; nearly all endeavoring to gain some 
concession from the others to aid in their 
own selfish future aggressions”! Such was 
the thought flashed from my friend of the 
brilliant mind and noble heart who came 
with others to greet me. And the dear 
lady who took me in her arms and kissed 
me when we parted there at the Hague even 
as she did now, said: “We meet again, and 
here there is sweet Peace—but 0, the hor¬ 
rors of the war! And you, you will return 
to Earth for further work.” She gave her 
blessing with such love as her grand soul 
can give. 

The other one, he of the brilliant mind 
and facile pen, he of the awakened and illu¬ 
mined spirit, said: “Yes, you will return to 
Earth for added work (even after those 
many, many years of work already per¬ 
formed), we will aid you, we all must aid 
those who are working to enlighten the 
minds, to awaken the spirits of those im¬ 
mured in the materialism of Earth. How 
dense we all are until awakened! Sorrow 
smites us, then the fountains of the Soul 
come forth; our spiritual Guardians can 
help us then, and we begin to know. That 
was my case on Earth. Now I realize how 
little I did know, but I am grateful that I 
was not an entire stranger to this realm of 
spirits, and there is all eternity in waich to 
grow in knowledge.” 





38 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 

MESSAGES FROM FRIENDS 

From those whom I met in their homes 
of peace and love and work were many 
messages to be delivered in person by me to 
the dear ones on Earth—messages that 
might be of interest here to show that true 
affection and personal watchfulness are 
more manifested from the spirit side of life 
than people know; even those accustomed 
to spirit communion and ministration do 
not realize all that they might of this near¬ 
ness. 

These messages are too intimate and 
sacred, however, to be given here, and they 
breathe all the fervor of the real life and 
love of the Spirit. I shall communicate 
them to those to whom they were sent. 

THE SPIRIT-HOME OF THE 
CHILDREN 

But 0, the Children! the Children! What 
can one write or say? What words adapt¬ 
ed to tongue or pen can convey an adequate 
idea of the spheres in which my spirit has 
often met those darlings of both worlds? 
My own baby girl, who passed on many, 
many years ago and who has grown to 
womanhood in her spirit state, has ever 
been my constant companion, as a guard¬ 
ian spirit, during my busy hours of Earth 
life, as a pilot and gentle helper when 


MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 39 


through sleep or trance-control my spirit 
was set free to join her and visit the realm 
of the children. 

These “little ones” are often wiser in 
knowledge of the spirit than mortals of 
more mature years. 

Blessings ever attend the presence of a 
babe in the home of love on Earth and, in 
the highest sense, doubly blessed are those 
who having possessed such a treasure know 
that if the babe passes from mortal sight 
the treasure is still theirs, a babe—growing 
among the flowers of the gardens of spirit¬ 
ual life is as 

“A light within a light, 

A joy ensphered in joy.” 

Such a child becomes a sacred guardian 
unto the household. 

It was indeed an enchanted realm into 
which we now entered. Although visited 
many times during many years it now 
seemed more real, more beautiful, more 
perfect. 

As far as vision (perception) could reach 
—as vast as the mind could compass or con¬ 
ceive there were children, children every¬ 
where ! Sporting in the light of their own 
brightness and joy; they were embodied 
sunbeams, weaving rainbow tinted 
thoughts into forms of beauty; flowers, 
flowers everywhere; songs of birds and 








40 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 

child voices mingling with murmuring 
waters amid scenes of rarest beauty. Ah, 
the spirit realm of childhood; the play¬ 
grounds of the skies! 

Not only children, but “those of larger 
growth,” parents, teachers, friends were 
there to teach, to aid, and to grow in great¬ 
er knowledge and usefulness. Sometimes 
the children are the teachers to those older 
in Earth years. 

Isles of light, radiant with flowers and 
verdure and surrounded by irridescent 
waters! Could one ever picture the 
thought-forms of these lovely ones? 

“Let us make rainbows,” exclaimed one 
fairylike child among a group of playmates, 
some of whom were new in that realm. A 
questioning look came into the eyes of those 
addressed: “How can we make rainbows?” 
A child-teacher drew near and said: “I will 
show you; come with me.” 

The five or six eagerly responded. 

“Take hold of hands,” the Teacher said, 
“and have no fear, there can be no rainbows 
without clouds and light.” 

I was permitted to follow, with sight or 
ken, as the Teacher led them away, away 
from those enchanting scenes to where the 
clouds and shadows hung dark beneath and 
around them. 

They had drawn near a large city of 
Earth. 

“0 let’s not go there,” said one, “it seems 


MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 41 


so dark.” But the others urged her on. 
Soon one little boy among thm said, 
“See, there is a little girl. She is cold and 
is crying on the street; she is hungry too, 
let us help her.” They drew near, and the 
child, feeling comforted (she knew not 
why)’ sobbed more softly and prayed: 

“0, my mamma in heaven, can you hear 
me and send help to brother and baby—you 
loved us so?” Then the spirit children saw 
a man approaching; they fairly pushed him 
toward the weeping child to whom he spoke 
kindly asking: 

“What is the matter my little girl?” 

“0, sir, my mother is dead, and my 
brother is sick and the baby has nothing to 
eat. We’re so cold in that room.” 

“Can you take me there,” asked the man, 
and he held out his hand for her to lead him. 
She clasped two of his fingers with her tiny 
hand and led him through the dark streets 
to a narrow alley and up some dark, creak¬ 
ing stairs. Yes, there was little brother 
crying for “mamma,” for “sister,” and the 
baby asleep but sobbing. 

The kind-hearted man saw everything at 
a glance. 

“Don’t cry, my little man. I’ll be back in 
a few minutes. Take care of them, little 
lady, until I come.” 

The spirit children had helped, and help¬ 
ed; they saw the spirit mother looking very 
sad, bending above the baby, and then 



42 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY I&ODY 

above “little brother.” They also tried to 
comfort him and help the little girl. They 
saw the man go to a telephone and talk with 
some one and they could see and feel the 
light of kindness with which he spoke and 
in which the answers came. How quick he 
was! He found a place to buy food. He 
came back soon, built a fire, warmed some 
milk, gave the other children something to 
ease the worst pangs of hunger. Presently 
a woman came—such a kind heart! She too 
worked fast. She gave the baby some food 
prepared in the milk, helped the little sick 
boy, who was more in need of bodily com¬ 
fort than anything else, soothed and fed 
the little girl who, little mother that she 
was, at once aided in caring for the baby. 

How the spirit children worked too! 
They had made the man see and hear the 
little girl, had aided in guiding her to the 
dismal room called “home”, had helped him 
find the telephone and the place to buy the 
food, had helped the woman to find the 
place, had helped take care of the children 
and comfort them and the spirit mother. 

“Now,” said the Teacher, “we will return 
to our beautiful home.” 

One little boy whispered to the Teacher: 
“I know there are more children and people 
who need help down there. Can we go 
again and help?” 

“Whenever you choose to make rainbows 


MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 43 


or flowers or other beautiful things we will 
go.” And they rejoiced. 

Lo! As they passed through the encom¬ 
passing clouds circles of rainbows o’er- 
spanned them and paths of rainbows guid¬ 
ed them to their spirit home. When the 
other children saw them approaching they 
sang, “0, the rainbows! 0, the rainbows! 
When you dry the tears of sorrow and help 
those in need you make rainbows.” 

All spirit children are taught to visit the 
scenes of Earth life. The home and its 
loved ones, where they are missed, ever at¬ 
tracts them and they are taught to min¬ 
ister, to aid, to guard. If they had no home 
on Earth they try to aid those who still re¬ 
main in the “orphan” realm of human life. 

THERE ARE NO ORPHANS IN 
THE SPIRIT REALM: 

Mothers whose babes are in the Earth 
life help to care for those “little waifs” 
thrust out of human existence—and for 
spirit children that pine for Mother love. 

Children whose parents are in Earth life 
are taught to aid and comfort those in the 
home as well as those who have no home. 
Especially cared for are the little “waifs” 
who were not welcome in the Earth-forms 
—even those who have not seen the light of 
earthly day—not always from among the 
poor of earth were they driven, especially 




44 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 

those abandoned by the unfortunate or mis¬ 
guided mothers. These and all are 
“mothered” by the spirits whose hearts are 
filled with mother love. And here it is well 
to note that not all who are earthly parents 
are real fathers and mothers, and many who 
are childless—work night and day in the 
“asylums” on earth to save some neglected, 
forsaken, child. These are real parents. 

What greater “punishment” could there 
be than when the human mother has turned 
away from the sacred gift of motherhood, 
she meets, on entering spirit life, her own 
neglected babe who welcomes her there?' 
“Coals of fire!” 

It is not always to visit scenes of sorrow 
and want that the spirit children are led to 
^Lyceums,” where the little ones of earth 
are taught, places of entertainment and 
amusement where they play, and sing, and 
grow; there also are the playmates of the 
spirit home mingling with them and en¬ 
deavoring to impress them with thoughts 
and deeds of loving kindness with things of 
beauty. 

Returning to the Realm of Spirit Child¬ 
ren one finds such respite from care, such 
constant sources of happiness, such fash¬ 
ioning of forms of beauty. Oh, that all 
could know! Knowledge of all this has 
reached but few on Earth; yet more and 
more will human minds be pervaded by the 
methods of the Skies. 


MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 45 


Those who have given new methods of 
“Education” to the people of Earth have 
been inspired somewhat by these Teachers 
in spirit states. Froebel, whose “Kinder- 
garden” system was intended for “child¬ 
ren” of all ages; A. J. Davis, whose “Pro¬ 
gressive Lyceum” system was not intended 
exclusively for Sunday training of children 
but in its inception was a reproduction of 
the “teachings” in spirit states (as far as 
his mind and inspiration could reproduce 
such beautiful methods.) Even if one 
could give in human language the form of 
teaching (or methods) of the spirit states, 
the law of adaptation prevailing in the 
higher realms might not always be avail¬ 
able in human life. 

How beautiful to know that growth— 
and the best opportunity for the highest un- 
foldment with most loving teachers and 
Guardians surround the darlings who have 

passed from the households of Earth. 

Here then, 0 human parents, 0 sisters 
and brothers, you who miss the bodily pres¬ 
ence of the one who occupied the “vacant 
Chair,” you who feel the prevading sense of 
the absence of the loved children: here they 
are; bringing to your very homes and 
hearts, could you but realize it, the love, the 
knowledge, the wisdom, the beauty of the 
skies. 












46 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY - 

BEAUTY AND HARMONY 

Ever from childhood through all the 
years of Earth-life beautiful scenery, tints 
of earth and sky, music, in fact all beauti¬ 
ful sights and sounds, strongly appealed to 
me. In the spirit states I noted that har*> 
monious colors, beautiful scenes, and often 
exquisite music greeted me as we approach¬ 
ed groups of radiant atmospheres, encircl¬ 
ing spheres of light; such exquisite sounds 
of harmony as one dreams must be the 
“Music of the Spheres.” On approaching 
nearer I would perceive that the tints and 
sounds, as they reached me, were the radi¬ 
ations of thought, the spirit activities of 
these thus ensphered who have attained 
real harmony. They were not MAKING 
beautiful colors) and music, but LIVING 
them. 


THE “ARTISTS” 

Perhaps I have elsewhere written that 
music in spirit states does not always ac¬ 
company the one who was a “musician” on 
Earth ; and harmony of color, beautiful sur¬ 
roundings may ensphere one who never 
thought of being an “artist.” Their lives 
have been interwoven with sweet and lov¬ 
ing thoughts and deeds. 

That which would have been a source of 
surprise had I not previously known it was 


MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 47 


that “artists,” “painters,” “sculptors,”’ 
“musicians,” and even some of the “poets,” 
known by those names on Earth, are not 
fashioning landscapes, portraits, or carv¬ 
ing from stone the images of lovely forms, 
nor are they fashioning or weaving into 
music or verse some classical or other 
theme: All of those who were “geniuses,” 
all who were Idealists,, true lovers of their 
kind, find here (in spirit life) their highest 
happiness in ministering to others, in mov¬ 
ing upon the minds, hearts, spirits of those 
to whom they are adapted, until they per¬ 
ceive the Soul of Beauty and fashion it into 
their lives. The “Masters” of art: painters, 
sculptors, builders, construct their temples 
and adorn them with lives—the true images 
of beauty in thought, feeling, aspiration, 
achievement. 

Music is perfect Harmony, of one life 
with itself and others, of many lives in all 
their highest purposes. Such are the 
creators of the “Symphonies of the Skies.” 

Those who had “Talent,” hoping to a- 
chieve the works of “Genius”—sometime, 
somewhere, are still intent on fashioning 
reproductions or imitations of natural ob¬ 
jects and scenes, or impressing art students 
of Earth to produce such effects. But 
these are not the creators—every “cre¬ 
ation” is from within and must live,” said 
my Teacher. 

One wishes for a magic pen, or for a per- 


48 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 

feet Gift of Expression, to convey in langu¬ 
age the subtle consciousness of the Beauty 
and Harmony that meet one as one is led to 
the “Atmospheres” of some of the 

“CREATORS OF BEAUTY” 

More wonderful than all else was the 
knowledge that many who had never paint¬ 
ed, carved, builded, or traced the “score” of 
musical composition were surrounded and 
pervaded by such ineffable loveliness that 
one could weep for very joy on perceiving 
it. 

“Art is Great, but the perception of the 
Soul of Beauty is Life! Love!” said the 
Guide. 

One perceives in such states as were 
there revealed that the true “artist” has 
not always been known among his fellow 
human beings, moving upon the world of 
thought, influencing other lives by the 
beauty and harmony of their own natures, 
these seem, when viewed from the spirit, 
to constitute the real artits. 

“Is not the Temple of the Soul a Living 
Temple, is not the art of molding the mind 
to perform the mandates of the spirit more 
to be sought for and greater when attained? 
“Eternal in the Heavens” are the Temples 
“not made with hands,” so said the Guide 
and so I perceived more and more clearly. 

In marked contrast to the foregoing were 


MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 49 


the thought-forms surrounding some of 
those who had been “artists” on Earth: 
broken lines, inharmonious colors, discords, 
sharp and jagged corners—all portraying 
disturbed conditions of the unruly thoughts 
and impulses that had possessed them in 
Earth-life. 

I had interesting glimpses of those who 
were “working with themselves.” One who 
was considered “eminent” in art on Earth 
was cutting, carving, breathing upon an 

image of himself. 

“What is he doing?” I exclaimed, now 
really surprised. 

“Removing the angularities and errors of 
his own nature: jealousy of other artists, 
the deepest scar; selfish love of human 
praise—that overweening desire for adu¬ 
lation; unwillingness to accord to others 
appreciation of their true merits,” replied 
the Guide. 

Later, I saw that artist self-renovated, 
and one whom he had envied derided and 
scorned, when both were in Earth life, 
working together, producing, through art¬ 
ist minds on earth, works that possess the 
merits of both with the added tone of har¬ 
mony; the strength of one being merged in 
perfect accord with the grace and loveliness 
of the other, blended in wondrous works 
of Beauty. 

This was a wonderful lesson, serving to 
illustrate that at first, and possibly for some 




50 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 

time after entering spirit life one’s chief 
occupation is—or should be—removing 
one’s own limitations; but this cannot begin 
until one is aware that one has the imper¬ 
fections; to be conscious of one’s faults is 
half the remedy. 

Bodily imperfections, infirmities and dis¬ 
ease, unless retained psychologically by 
having constantly encroached upon the 
mind, or deformities that are dwelt upon 
mentally, are dropped with the body; but 
such infirmities of mind as are born of an 
undue “egotism,” undue self love, (the capi¬ 
tal “I” around which the universe re¬ 
volves), must be removed before the spirit 
can enter upon real work. As with artists so 
with those eminent in science or any de¬ 
partment of human thought and endeavor; 
the truly Great are ever the most humble; 
realizing that however much they know, 
and however clearly they can think “the uni¬ 
verse is full of things we do not know”; as 
one of the great ones aptly said. 

I had met one—a brilliant mind— who in 
Earth life was gifted in many ways, chiefly 
mathematics. He had breakfasted on 
billions, dined on duodecillions, supped on 
sepdecillions, he wrote to the rythm of 
“logarithms,” and worshiped at the shrine 
of the calculus! I tried to imagine what 
he might be doing. Perhaps he was 
measuring the immeasurable or calculating 
the uncalculable! I saw him! Where was 


MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 51 


his Observatory? Where his maps, charts, 
instruments? The answer swept over and 
through me with a great thrill. 

“The knowledge that comes to the spirit 
is instantanous—if one is ready—how can 
one use even the most perfect instrument¬ 
alities and methods when time and space 
are eliminated? Truth is perceived: in 
homely phrase “No ladder for the air men,” 
“no mathematics for the soul!” I never 
could have imagined how quickly he would 
“perceive.” He had attained the real 
knowledge of wisdom and love. 

The poet-prophets of the world, those 
who have sung in immortal verse the 
Truths of the Skies: Truths of Freedom, 
Justice, Love, Spiritual Exaltation, moved 
by the theme of their songs, using their art 
as a setting to the Jewel of Truth, these en¬ 
dowed ones knew that without the inspir¬ 
ing theme, the words, the rythm would be 
empty bubbles, glittering nothings. 

ALL ARE TEACHERS 

All exalted lives (spiritually) moving and 
living in similar planes of thought—born of 
their spiritual states—are attracted to 
each other in spirit life for the interchange 
of perceptions of Truth and bearing for¬ 
ward the work of illuminating such minds 
on Earth as are ready to receive along the 
lines of human progress and unfoldment, 







52 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 

imparting “the things they are ready to 
know.” 

Spirits, the wise ones, do not make the 
mistake, as many do in human life, of try¬ 
ing to force upon the minds of those whom 
they teach the truths or knowledge for 
which those minds are not prepared: 
“Arithmetic first, after that geometry and 
higher mathematics,” is the rule in Earth 
schools. So in the instruction by spirit 
Teachers there is adaptation to the pupil 
not only of the Teacher but of that which 
is to be taught. There are “ministering 
spirits” adapted to every condition. 

I could but marvel at the wonderful 
workings of these principles that govern 
the influence of “mind upon mind”—really 
spirit upon spirit; so much more complex 
yet more potent than the “forces” and 
operation of the “laws” of the material 
universe—“laws” so little understood, 
'"forces” so dimly perceived. 

“Most of the people on the Earth-plane 
know so little even concerning the things 
and forces most intimately connected with 
their bodily existence: the sunshine, the air 
they breathe, the earth beneath them, the 
sea, and the heavens of Stars; we must not 
wonder over-much that they know little or 
nothing of this inner, though more real, 
realm of Spirit.” 

This was from the Guide. Anticipating 
the question that was welling up from the 





MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 53 


mind: “Why do not those on Earth know 
more of these spirit states, more of their 
own conditions spiritually ?” The answer 
had already been given, and as we passed 
on the Teacher said: 

“Growth, unfoldment, waiting, working.’* 

CO-WORKERS 

Among the groups and assemblages 
whom I met and with whom I was most fre- 
uently in communication during this sur¬ 
passing sojourn were the arisen co-workers 
in the “Movement” with which my life- 
work has been most identified: 

“SPIRITUALISM” 

In the work of a life-time as a chosen “in¬ 
strument” to bear “glad tidings,” to pro¬ 
mote the knowledge of spirit existence here 
and beyond the change called death, and the 
ministration from and communion with the 
arisen ones, I had met in outward existence 
every leading mind and every worker’ 
(medium) known in the Spiritualistic 
movement. 

We were always friends, always co¬ 
workers, sisters and brothers bearing for¬ 
ward a great Truth. Very frequently dur¬ 
ing this wonderful visit in the realm of 
spirit I saw them—either alone or in smal¬ 
ler or larger groups, renewing the compan* 



54 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 

ionship that had been so beautiful and de¬ 
lightful when we had worked side by side 
in human forms. 

In your memory, dear reader, or in your 
reading scan the lists of names who were 
first known as “Investigators” then as 
“Spiritualists,” and the names of those 
known as MEDIUMS (there were no “Psy¬ 
chics” in those days.) I knew and loved 
them all. I met them all. Each one in 
spirit life is still engaged in imparting this 
knowledge—most important of all that hu¬ 
man beings can receive—concerning Spirit¬ 
ual Truth. Existence, life, love, work be¬ 
yond the change called death; 

SPIRITUALISM AS A MOVEMENT, 

I had ever been instructed by my Guides, 
was given to the world when needed, and 
when there were those upon the Earth who 
were ready, when the “ages were ripe” for 
its coming. 

In spirit states of Earth and in the realmk 
far beyond were those who knew the “day 
and hour” had come for “moving upon the 
minds of Earth with this new illumination.” 

There was from the “smallest” to the 
“greatest,” from the seemingly “least” to 
the “most important” of the manifestations 
a concerted action. The “rappings” at 
Hydesville were no “accident,” the visions 
of Clairvoyant and seer, the writings and 




MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 55 


trance utterances (phenomenal) were all a 
part of this Stupendous Movement. All, 
all, under guidance of those wise Spirits 
who knew what the people of the world 

needed and gave it to them according to 
their needs. 

Necessarily many extremists and “im¬ 
itators” would be attracted to the subject— 
like driftwood following or borne upon 
every new current of thought—but it is 
safe to say that Spiritualism during the 
sixty-seven years since the “Rochester 
Knockings” has attracted the attention of 
more eminent minds in every department 
of human research (and convinced them 
too) and given knowledge and consolation 
to a greater number of people than any 
movement or system of knowledge in anci¬ 
ent or modern times. With those who are 
willing and anxious to be classed as Spirit 
ualists it is knowledge of life beyond death 
—and of the presence and ministration of 
the beloved arisen ones. 

So spoke my Guide to me and to the 
group of co-workers who had come forward 
to meet and greet me. How young and 
beautiful they were. Always I had noted 
in earth life how beautiful the dear ones are 
when one has been for a time absent from 
them—and here, in this realm of perpetual 
youth, with the freedom from human pain 
and cares that some of them had so bravely 





56 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUTJJF MY BODY 

borne, I could but note the beauty that is 
theirs. 

In the interchange of thought and exper¬ 
iences with these arisen co-workers I could 
readily understand that being brought into 
direct personal relationship with their 
“Guides,” “Inspirers,” Teachers,” “helpers” 
and with each other, they had become more 
and more aware of the true meaning and 
nature of the gifts (mediumship) that were 
theirs when in the form, and they realized 
that even those “Inspirers” and “Teachers” 
were also the instruments of higher and 
wiser Spirits. 

One sister worker said to me “I always 
wanted to see my Guides, as you did, but I 
could not, for the gift of spirit vision was 
not mine. Now I understand what it means 
to ‘see with the eyes of the Spirit and I am 
satisfied.” 

Those who had been my most intimate co¬ 
workers had many things to tell me of their 
“awakening” into added perception of 
spiritual things and of the work assigned 
them in their new state of existence; still 
ministering, still trying to lift the veil, 
mostly of ignorance, that divides mortals 
from their arisen ones. Many were the 
loving messages sent to friends and loved 
Companions still in Earth life. 

“Tell them you saw me here in spirit life, 
anl I am ever near them, in response to a 




MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 57 


thought, or wish or especially a need, guid¬ 
ing, guarding, aiding.” 

It seems better to receive a message from 
one who has “been there,” who has actually 
seen and conversed with one’s friends “face 
to face” and “spirit to spirit.” So, in the 
treasure house of my spirit are stored those 
messages to be given whenever I meet any 
of those loved ones in human life to whom 
I was so fortunate as to bear a message. It 
is to them alone that the message for them 
can be given. 

The transcendent brightness and spirit¬ 
ual beauty of that assemblage of spirits— 
from guardian spirits of relatives and 
friends to the wisest and most advanced 
that one could see, are beyond my power of 
language to express. 

There is no formal taking of one’s “place” 
or “position,” no ceremonious “assigning” 
of “duty” or “work,” but in groups and 
larger companies, as well as in personal 
ministrations, a mutual understanding of 
purpose, according to adaptation. If a 
united or concerted action upon earth- 
minds for any given purpose is needed it is 
readily perceived and entered upon by all 
who are in accord, and is performed by 
such methods as enlightened spirits readily 
understand. 

Human minds are better prepared to 
comprehend the methods of spirit commun¬ 
icating with spirit since “wireless tele- 


58 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 



graphy” and other recent scientific wond¬ 
ers have been achieved, not that the process 
is similar in any degree, but being prepared 
for the new revealments in science also pre¬ 
pares impartial minds to know of the more 
subtle powers of the spirit. “Volition” in 
its highest analysis is the one attribute of 
the spirit by which other spirits know— 
through perception, what is being imparted, 
but there must ever be accord, sympathy, 
adaptation. 

From some of those who had been my 
friends in my early life and who were “lead¬ 
ing minds” in this cause, and in other sub¬ 
jects of human interest, I received many 
thoughts and suggestions concerning the 
present status of the “movement” (Spirit¬ 
ualism) and what they now think of the 
possible and desirable results of “united 
action,”—“organization” for the work and 
the workers. These and any other themes 
must be left for opportunity, time and 
strength to reveal, as my work goes on in 
human life. 

One notes the same minds and spirits in 
many assemblages of the different branches 
of all purposes for aiding humanity. Even 
as when on earth the “Pioneers” in “Anti* 
slavery,” “Equal Suffrage,” “Temperance,” 
were the same staunch body of men and wo¬ 
men, ready now as then to respond to the 
call to give a voice to Truth. In the as¬ 
semblies for promoting “peace” by “those 



ilY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 59 


who love their fellowmen,” there was the 
universal sentiment: “Peace must be born 
of Justice and Justice can only come by true 
Fraternity.” 

“My country is the world; 

My countrymen all mankind.” 

This is the standard extending to include 
“All Souls.” 

“It seems to inhere in the very nature of 
human life that men will fight for: (1) 
Personal liberty: freedom from physical 
bondage and involuntary servitude; (2) 
For defense of those nearest and dearest 
enshrined in the “home”; (3) For country 
when it represents the “home” and those 
“Ideals” to which the heart ever clings.” 

To “remove the Causes of War” all selfish 
seeking, all aggression by any nation upon 
the rights of others must cease, “and this 
must come by growth, by enlightenment in 
the cardinal principles of justice, love and 
truth.” These and many other thoughts 
were given forth in that assembly. 

*A great wave of uprising among the wo¬ 
men of all nations was predicted in favor of 
conditions that would “make for peace’’ 
leading to united efforts between the most 
enlightened men and women of all nations 
to the establishment of “Peace born of 

*This was before the Woman’s “Peace Congress” 
had been thought of by Earth minds. 



(50 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF M,X BODY 

Right—Not Might.” The Peace foretold 
by poets and sages of all time. Yet all 
agree in that wonderful assemblage, that 
“treaties of Peace” are without avail unless 
the moral force of the nations—among 
their leaders, rulers and a majority of their 
people—is sufficient to dominate; and make 
just treaties binding. 

As individuals are now expected to ad¬ 
just their difference in Court of Law (often 
misnamed justice), and it is the aim of a 
majority of citizens not to encroach upon 
the real rights of others, so the time must 
come when nations will agree to a similar 
method in adjusting possible differences 
that may arise; and this much can come 
even before the real millenium of “Peace on 
Earth and Love to all Mankind.” There 
must be some other International Tribunal 
than the battlefield! Earth, sea, and air, 
must not be held in bondage for physical 
carnage! 

In the final “Day of Peace” even Peace 
Tribunals will not be needed, but now— 
“may Angels speed the Day of Peace born 
of Justice.” 

In most instances I could tell the person¬ 
ality, or human name, of each one giving 
forth a particular thought, and all were in 
accord. Alas, I could also perceive that 
they saw, in viewing the conditions of 
Earth that “the end is not yet.” 

I cannot mar this wonderful visit—this 


MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 61 


respite from pain and cares of Earth by 
dwelling too long among the shadows, war- 
clouds and darkened states of Earth life. 
As beyond the storm clouds of Earth’s 
nearest material atmosphere the sun al¬ 
ways shines glorious and with resplendent 
brightness, so beyond the horrors of war 
the desolation and ravagement of nations 
incident thereto, beyond the storms, earth¬ 
quakes, and cataclysmic throes of nature, 
the Sun of Spiritual Hope and Love ever 
shines surpassing fair, and all the Angelic 
and Spiritual Hosts are ready to aid, 
strength, succor the spirits enshrouded in 
time and earth conditions. 

THE RETURN 

More and more frequent were the sum¬ 
mons and the visits to my mortal body, to 
reimbue, as it was now found possible, with 
my spirit, to restore with the personal pres¬ 
ence, the body within which the vital spark 
had been kept alive by blessed Guardian 
Spirits and devoted friends on Earth. 

More and more the spirit “Home 
friends,” the Best Beloved, and the Guide 
encouraged the thought of my return to 
fulfill the appointed work on Earth. I had 
prayed to be allowed to remain, to let the 
body pass; but now, gradually it is true, the 
idea of resuming the human habiliments, 
the garb of the material body, became less 




62 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 

repugnant, and I finally freely said: “Yes, I 
will go as that is the appointed way.” 

Have you, dear friends, who may be read¬ 
ing these imperfect fragments of a perfect 
experience, (as any narrative must be) ever 
visited some fair garden, some sequestered 
home of dearest friends, a place radiant 
with beauty and enchantment; where there 
were flowers massed in rarest combinations 
of color and fragrance, fountains murmur¬ 
ing in answer to the summer winds, music, 
as seemed a part of the enrapturing scene; 
have you enjoyed this with the chosen 
friends that alone could make the scene 
sacred, the Best Beloved, And have you 
known the reluctance to return to the “out¬ 
er world” of daily routine of care, perhaps 
of pain? Ah, then you know in the small¬ 
est degree what it meant to me to return to 
my bodily form! 

Yet even now the soul of all that was 
mine in that wonderful, surpassing state is 
ever with me; nor will it again be absent 
from me—since it is enfolded in my very 
being. I am more complete now, even in 
the body which ever divides us from the 
Soul of Life. 

“You will be with us again and often,” 
they said; the Guide said no formal “fare¬ 
wells,” no “leavetaking,” but everywhere 
from every Dear and Blessed one “Bless-* 
ings, Peace, Joy, and Love go with you into 
added Strength and Work.” 


MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 63 


And here I am: ready to help the body to 
grow stronger, and to willingly, joyfully, in 
the future as in the past, perform the work 
assigned me — until— they — call — me — 
Home. 


CORA L. V. RICHMOND. 







































An Added Word or Two 


The possibility of the spirit “leaving the 
body" for a time and then returning and 
resuming its usual activities has been de¬ 
monstrated many times. In some in¬ 
stances the temporary separation was 
caused by accident, illness, states of coma 
induced by anesthetics, trance, either of 
spirit control or hypnosis, and sometimes a 
voluntary absence or activity not suspend¬ 
ing the vital functions of the body. It is 
also undoubtedly true that during sleep— 
especially that restful, dreamless sleep that 
betokens a normal state of mind and body, 
the spirit avails itself of the opportunity of 
restoration by spiritual methods and activi¬ 
ties not possible while urging the body to do 
its bidding. Not only Spiritualists, Psy¬ 
chologists and Psychic Research students 
have well authenticated cases of the un¬ 
doubted activity of the Spirit apart from 
the body, but many prominent physicians 
have recorded their experiences with pa¬ 
tients whose bodily functions were suspend¬ 
ed, even to seeming dissolution, and upon 
the unexpected resuscitation of the subject 
there would be a vivid account of active ex¬ 
periences in spirit—usually pleasant scenes 
and meetings with friends long passed into 


66 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 

spirit life. These visits to “heaven” would 
be sometimes tinged with the religious bias 
of the subject, but this is not strange in 
view of the fact that spirit states are con¬ 
ditions of the mind and spirit experiencing 
them. 

Among the most familiar popular illus¬ 
trations are those narrated by Elizabeth 
Stuart Phelps, especially by “Gail Hamil¬ 
ton” who, being thought “dead” returned to 
her body, narrated to her pastor the experi¬ 
ences she had during that period of sus¬ 
pended animation and resumed her pen, 
remaining in mortal life a considerable time 
thereafter. 

Although not usual, this class of experi¬ 
ence is not so unusual as many imagine or 
assert. And the writer having been from 
childhood accustomed to the “other state” 
(“Inner,” “higher”), of consciousness can 
distinctly trace her experiences in that 
inner realm as forming fully a third if not 
one half of her life-experiences. 

The “realm of spirit” in which she has so 
often found herself a participant is there¬ 
fore, no unfamiliar realm; in fact if called 
upon to decide which state is the reality— 
the life, she would unhesitatingly say: the 
inner state, the super-mundane realm. 

Of the many eminent men of Science in 
both Europe and America who have come to 
a knowledge of the truths of Spirit exist¬ 
ence, continuance of life after transition,— 


MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 67 


and the writer has known them all person¬ 
ally, except the one she is about to mention, 
—probably Sir Oliver Lodge has approach¬ 
ed the subject of “psychic Research” (Spi¬ 
ritualism) with a mind the best prepared to 
receive (perceive) Spiritual Truth. I say 
this with the uttermost reverence and 
admiration for the long list of names— 
eminent alike in their personal qualities 
and scientific attainments, whose lives have 
been made brighter by a knowledge of 
demonstrated future existence and a belief 
in the Immortality of the Soul. Shall I 
name some of them? Hare, Mapes, Den¬ 
ton, Wallace, Crookes, Varley, Zollner, 
Flammarion—the list is almost endless. 

Sir Oliver Lodge has not only recently, 
and very publicly, announced his full belief 
(knowledge) of continued personal exists 
ence beyond the change called death, but 
the possibility of communion with those 
“gone before” and the certainty that he had 
personal evidence beyond cavil or doubt, 
proofs indubitable, of the presence of and 
communication with his particular friends, 
but—and this is the point I wish to 
emphasize—in his earlier utterances on 
this subject he said in effect: “When I 
become aware that the human spirit while 
still animating the body, or not released by 
death, has such surpassing powers, Tele¬ 
pathy/ ‘voluntary action’ apart from the 
body, showing conclusively that the activ- 


68 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 

ities of the mind are not dependent upon 
the physical organism—I concluded there 
must be evidence to show that the spirit can 
and does survive the body.” This and 
much more was in his published statements 
concerning his investigations in connection 
with Psychic Research—showing that he 
approached the subject not only from the 
‘‘effect to cause” line of usual scientific 
investigation, but had already in his quick¬ 
ened perception the vivification of a-priori 
knowledge leading from “cause to effect.” 

One would like to accumulate and set 
down in condensed manner all the available 
evidences of “absence from the body”—of 
which the writer has a large and increasing 
store, but this writing is more distinctly in 
the form of a message for this particular 
time. 

With our “other world” within and about 
us, moving “like wings of light on dark and 
stormy air,” with such unused, wonderful 
powers , what wonder that one having par¬ 
taken of the bounties of that inner realm 
longs to awaken the “sleeping” spirits of 
those in human life—or, more correctly 
speaking, tear aside the veil and show how 
wonderful are the dormant powers within 
each person: Soul-powers more active, 
perhaps, than any are aware! Who can 
tell, until the film of mental blindness is 
removed, how great may be the works 
accomplished by the spirit when the body 


MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 69 


sleeps, when one is “absent minded,” or 
when thinking intently of a particular 
friend, one finds at that very day and hour 
the friend had “passed away” ? 

It is of the “Substance that dreams are 
made” that we shall ultimately find our 
divinest realities, our very lives are 
fashioned. 

This narrative of “experiences while out 
of my body” is only a prelude to those 
vaster heights, those more inner scenes 
that I hope sometime to be able to record: 
The Symphony is Life itself whose theme of 
Love is Endless, Endless, Endless. 

—The Author. 























MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY 
BODY AND MY RETURN 
AFTER MANY DAYS 

BY 

REV. CORA L. V. RICHMOND 


PART 11. 


THE REALM CELESTIAL 






DEDICATED 
TO THE ANGELS 










MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY 
BODY AND MY RETURN 
AFTER MANY DAYS 

Part II. 

THE REALM CELESTIAL 

“Gome unto me all ye that are weary and heavily 
laden and I will give you rest.” 

One may have seen the rarest tints of 
earth—mornings empurpling the gray 
dawn in the eastern sky, changing to crim¬ 
son and golden hues, diffusing the glory 
until the whole atmosphere and the earth 
seemed to glow with consciousness of their 
own loveliness—ere yet the full orbed 
splendor of the Chariot of Phoebus blazed 
o’er the horizons verge; one may have seen 
in many lands, amid all beautieous scenes, 
the same Day-Splendor sink to rest amid 
the encircling cloud-bursts that ever bear 
him company, or in ocean billows when the 
Cavalry of Neptune toss their white manes 
until jeweled by the wondrous coloring, or 
behind mountain ranges see him descend 
into gorgeous caverns of gold, outrivaling 
all the fabled palaces of Oriental Kings, illu¬ 
mining the shadow sides and filling the 
ravines with amethystine lines, or on the 






74 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 

far plains and deserts one may have 
marked the vast orb drop suddenly from 
sight, without a cloud-curtain of fold of 
tinted atmosphere and note all at once 
that the light of stars had come; but 
whether it were jeweled morning—new 
from the Creators, (ever new, ever old)—or 
eventide with its tents and whisperings of 
Paradise, that which was now shown—or 
experienced—so far exceeded in its sur¬ 
passing and transcendent beauty the most 
ravishing scenes of Earth that the latter, if 
remembered then, would seem as shadows 
—almost as naught. 

THE VALE OF DELIGHT 

Even, as when the Pilgrim,* who in his 
journeyings was beginning to know the 
true victory, came to the Delectable 
Mountains, so in this intervale I was 
angel led into scenes of such transcendent 
beauty that neither brush of genius-artist 
nor pen of most gifted poet could ever hope 
to portray them! 

A Vale of such ravishing beauty, such 
loveliness as has never been dreamed of or 
imagined by mortals, encircled by moun¬ 
tains of grandeur and majesty, whose lights 
seemed a part of the heavens, or crowned 
with fleecy cloud pictures—or visaging 


*Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. 






MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 75 


temples of rarest proportions and per¬ 
fection, pavilions, domes, terraces — or 
rising sheer unto the very sky. All tinted 
and toned by the glory of the Light that 
was everywhere. Adown the mountain 
slopes were wonderful forests, mingling 
their verdure in the subdued light of the 
intervening vales; for down the slopes and 
along the valley were most beautiful flow¬ 
ers of every unknown form and hue un¬ 
known to human sight having no earthly 
names, their loveliness and fragrance 
greeting one on every side. 

THE RIVER OF DELIGHT 

Along the valley flows a stream whose 
sources are in the far mountain heights 
—from crystaline springs and dancing ri¬ 
vulets—life giving, murmuring most music¬ 
ally—as they hasten to become merged in 
this rare River, the glory and wonder of 
this Vale of Wonders. 

In the translucent depths of the stream 
were mirrored the sky, the mountains—the 
clouds, the trailing branches along the 
shore, or where the waters were broken in 
their flowing the images changed in the re¬ 
flection until they seemed like dream- 
pictures of all the enchanting scene. Along 
the stream floated flower-barges, bearing 
groups of joyous beings whose voices of 
song and rippling laughter blended with the 






76 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 

monody of waters and breezes and with the 
rapturous songs of birds of such forms and 
tones as are unknown on Earth. The very 
Soul of Joy seemed to here abide and per¬ 
vade every living thing. Adown the vale 
among the flowers and fronds of fern like 
—bordering the River were other groups of 
beings so radiant, so illumined with joy 
from within that one could not recall in 
their presence that “shadows” and “cares” 
had ever been. 

These were Souls who have “come up 
through great tribulations” and are now in 
possession of the “peace that passeth un¬ 
derstanding” in this transcendent Vale: the 
peace that they have now. Bathed in the 
pure waters of the River of Delight the last 
vestages of Earth-shadows depart. 

Within the innermost of this Vale is the 
home of 

THE ANGEL OF DELIGHT: 

DELECTA—DELECTON. 

Here are Souls who as mortals and spirits 
were the particular charge of this Angel. 

The entrance to the sequestered shrine of 
the Angel is almost hidden by enwreathing 
garlands of ever-blooming flowers; all the 
blossoms of beauty that here abound o'er 
arching, concealing yet inviting into the 
inner Shrine. 

At the loving, unspoken mandate of the 



MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 77 


Angel, the flower-gates open and those who 
are one with the Angel may enter. 

The ineffable delight, the surpassing 
peace of this Vale is manifest in its every 
scene of rarest beauty, in every form and 
hue of loveliness and chiefly, in the joyous 
beings that here have found rest, respite, 
peace, who once were o’er-weary, and who 
won their peace by victory from within. 
From this peaceful realm they go forth on 
their missions of Peace and Joy and Love. 

Far down the Vale the winding and wind¬ 
ing River flows on and out beyond the 
receding mountains to a dazzling Realm— 
lost in the brightness, merged in the Great¬ 
er Beyond. 

As the Angel Guide led the way moun¬ 
tains, clouds, forests, valleys, flowers, forms 
of joyous Beings, the Vale and River of De¬ 
light were merged in the Vastness the un- 
limitation of a more wonderful Realm. 

“He maketh His Angels Spirits; His 
Ministers a flaming fire”,—Bible. 

“Those who are truly married on Earth 
are in Heaven One Angel.”—Swedenborg. 

THE KINGDOM CELESTIAL 

If that which mortals name “Light” of 
suns, planets, stars, moons, or all the Con¬ 
centrated Electrical brilliance was known 








78 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 

or even “Radium” is “Light,” then that into 
which the Angel Guide led, that which was 
overwhelmingly revealed and partly per¬ 
ceived was something so infinitely more in 
its Glory that a new name must be fashion¬ 
ed out of the language of the Soul for that 
revealing the Kingdom Celestial. 

Nothing can better describe the ineffable 
glory into which we entered than the words 
of one of old: 

“The Light of God.” 

The Souls as revealed in this state are the 
Light of the Realm Celestial. 

THE CELESTIAL COMPANY 

Those comprising this Realm seem like 
another order of beings than those with 
whom one had freely mingled and com¬ 
muned in the spirit States of Earth and 
even in the Vale of Delight, but they are 
those who once were mortals “Spirits of 
the just made perfect.” 

There was no abrupt contrast or change 
from the highest spirit states, yet this 
Realm differed in a vastness, a glory, that 
became more and more surpassing wonder¬ 
ful. Although the states merge and mingle 
one seemed to be saying in passing through 
the Vale of Delight. “We leave the Spirit 
states, we enter the Angelic state.” 

The Beings that compose the Celestial 
Company are each and all ensphered in 



MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 79 

their own brightness, each revealed as an 
illuminated sphere having a particular rad¬ 
iance all its own. 

These Spheres seem unapproachable, un¬ 
broken except where from within the lumi¬ 
nous orb divides or seems to include one in 
its Aura-sphere. 

It came to the consciousness, by percep¬ 
tion or knowledge from previous teachings, 
that these Aura-spheres are the Angels: 
the completed, the perfected lives; divided 
in manifestation on Earth and in Spirit- 
states, united here. 

Oh! With what rapturous thrill came 
this knowledge! The perception of the 
Angels as they are in their own States of 
Being! 

These perfect orbs of Light meet and 
mingle in Divine accord yet each perserves 
the distinct individuality. 

As we entered into that Celestial Comp¬ 
any the Angel Guides, who had compan¬ 
ioned and instructed during all the exper¬ 
iences in the spirit states, became also en¬ 
sphered. One Angel: the previously noted 
dual expression became one orb of radiant 
beauty! 

Thus was borne to the consciousness that 
the Angels when manifesting to those in 
spirit states or to those in human life ap¬ 
pear in separate forms (man or woman as 
the case requires) and that the forms may 
be in appearance or personality those last 




80 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 

known on Earth. This apparent division 
is, however not real; one endowed with 
higher vision and insight can see (or per¬ 
ceive) the ensphereal Angels even during 
the manifestations of the Angels to spirits or 
mortals. 

Most absorbing and wonderful was the 
revealment concerning the 

GUARDIAN ANGELS 

of those in Earth life and in the spirit 
states immediately following transition: 

Those on Earth who are aware of re¬ 
ceiving messages and ministrations from 
spirits usually (quite naturally) expect 
such messages to come from the spirits of 
loved ones who have “gone before”, the 
dear ones of the household who become the 
loving Guardian Spirits of those left in the 
Earth-home, and this is blessed and beauti¬ 
ful. 

Sometimes, however a message is given 
from a “higher spirit” and is received with 
great awe and reverence. Beyond and 
above the ministering Spirits is the Guard-* 
ian Angel of a group to which each member 
of the group belongs by adaptation. 

All people are members of some group 
according to enfoldment and adantation. 

The Guardian Angels know and appoint 
the Guardian or ministering spirits accord¬ 
ing to adaptation, and the Angels are aware 


MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BOD ¥ ft 


all that pertains to the lives of those 
whom they guard and guide; they know the 
heretofore and the hereafter of those lives. 

“Let it not be supposed, however, that 
either Guardian Spirits or Guardian Angels 
(Angel Guides) govern human destinies; 
they advise, assist, admonish, aid, instruct, 
strengthen and inspire, but the governing 
power is the Infinite and directly reaches 
the Individual Soul from within/' thus said 
the Guide. 

Some of those previously seen as Spirits 
among the various assemblages in spirit 
states, particularly among those who “love 
their fellow men / 7 were now perceived as 
Angels; both potentialities (seen before as 
man and woman) now merged in one. 

In all ministrations to those in the not- 
yet-united spirit or human states, the 
angels thus appear—as previously written 
—in separate forms. 

The appearance of “Angels" as “men" to 
the ancient Prophets and Seers, the pic¬ 
tured or carved images of Angels in works 
of Genius. (Ideals of surprising and wond¬ 
erful beauty thus imaged), bear witness to 
the Power of Angelic Beings to manifest in 
human similitude according to the needs of 
those to whom they manifest and minister. 

But not all the aids of the imagination, 
quickened by Genius and Inspiration can 
approach any adequate portraiture, either by 
tongue, pen. brush or chisel;(Milton, Dante, 


82 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 

Leonardo; CoSseggio; Guido; Angelo; all 
the throng of geniuses)., of the Angels as 
they are in their own Realm, a Realm not 
“fashioned” but “eternal in the Heavens”! 

How perfect they are! 

They are that Realm! 

While in that state and contemplating the 
wonders of Angelic Power there seemed an 
adequate interpretation of the Biblical text 

“He maketh His angels spirits, His mini¬ 
sters a flaming fire.” This explaining that 
the Angels appear in spirit states or to 
those in Earth-life to whom they minister 
as Spirits, because, although not divided as 
the angel, each one so appearing in human 
guise (man or woman) thus manifest to the 
condition of those to whom the ministration 
is given, but the Aura-sphere of the angel is 
not broken. 

The “Surpassing light” the glory that is 
described by the poet in the vision of Abou- 
ben Adhem might be more often perceived 
if human lives were not so much engrossed 
in earthly things; yet the “thrill”—the “cool 
celestial breath, the illumination and exalt¬ 
ation which one is sometimes aware of ex¬ 
periencing in earthly form during crises 
are evidences from that Inner Realm of 

The Presence of the Angel. 

In their own Realm where the Angels 
meet and mingle in perfect, divine accord 
the “appearance” is indescribable. 



I 


MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 83 

Light! Harmony! 

No human language is in the smallest de¬ 
gree adequate to portray the ecstasy pro¬ 
duced by the vision, contemplation of per¬ 
ception of this all-glorious state! Orb on 
orb of transcendent beauty, sphere on 
sphere of celestial splendor! 

Harmony: 

If that is music heard on Earth when one 
endowed with the gift of voice and genius 
to use it in vocalizing some rarest composit¬ 
ion of other genius, or that which is heard 
when the master musician touches the 
chords of some perfect instrument, or when 
the orchestra, led by a master mind and 
hand produces the wonders of master 
composers, then this, this is something that 
must have only a Celestial name. 

The Glorifying Soul of Harmony, I weep, 
since words must fail! 

These are the Beings that move upon the 
less luminous realms of Spirit and earth 
states. These are the Angels who are the 
glory and harmony of all this 

Beautiful Realm 

“As one star differeth from another,” not 
in the Angelhood, but in the Individuality 
of Being; in the appointed work, so do they 
differ. 

In their several spheres they meet, mingle 
and commune in mutual accord, each and 



84 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY • 


all intent upon the accomplishment of some 
supreme purpose, as appointed: Some 
ministration to those who are their partic¬ 
ular charge, who are passing through the 
states. 


THE ETERNAL EGO 

This Individuality is Eternal; is the Ego 
of which the small personality of earth and 
even of the spirit states is but a fragment 
of manifestation. 

These Angels have Great Knowledge, but 
not All knowledge; great power, but not 
all power. They have the perfect unity of 
the Love and Wisdom of the Perfected 
Souls of earth. They know all that relates 
to the earth; its past, its present, its future; 
particularly all that relates to those lives of 
whom they are the Guides, the Guardian 
Angels. 


THEIR WORK 

Angels are intent on missions of vast 
import connected with groups of Angels, 
with spirits, with “themes” that form the 
“Movements” or great “Reforms” on earth; 
the subjects or “Ideals” that are the step¬ 
ping stones (or more properly speaking, the 
indices) of Human Progress. 

When the time is ripe where it is the 
“Day and the Hour” groups of these shin- 



MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 85 


ing ones, these Resplendent ones, move 
upon the spirits in spirit states of earth 
that are ready for the appointed work and 
they in turn move upon the prepared minds 
of Earth. At such times the Angel of the 
movement may appear on Earth in human 
form. In times of great stress, like that 
which preceded the war that brought the 
downfall of Chattel Slavery in the United 
States; or like the present fearful conflict* 
that involves more than half the nations of 
the earth, the Angels move upon spirits and 
mortals to forward the “Highest Ideals” to 
point to “a more excellent way” for human 
Liberty and advancement. Thus is every 
“great cause” begun and borne forward. 

Even if one could bring from that Realm 
Divine all that one is permitted to know 
while there, illumined by the Angels who 
know, one is not permitted to reveal, in fact 
one cannot bring into human consciousness, 
the knowledge that belongs to that higher 
state until people are ready. 

In the narrow limitations of human exist¬ 
ence one cannot see as do the Angels, which 
is “the better way” leading to lasting Peace 
born of Justice, Liberty, Fraternity, yet one 
must know, even in the shadows of Time 
and Sense, that those who fight for Justice 
and Freedom in the highest sense fight for 
Humanity. 

In that Radiant Realm in that surpass- 

*This was written in 1915. 



86 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 

ing state where perfect Love and Wisdom 
reign, where no shadow can abide, one 
seems to feel that the perfect perfect day 
of Peace is at the very gates of the world. 

Sometime it will be so. 

Ensphered in their own Light ever in the 
Light of the Infinite, these resplendent Be¬ 
ings from the Realm Celestial. 

(Sphere on Sphere of Splendors meeting 
interblending, dispersing) move upon souls 
in need. Each enfolded in a beauty all its 
own all ensphered in the glory of that per¬ 
fect state utterly baffling any possible des¬ 
cription ! How can such vistas of Heavenly 
Beings be described? In what terms or 
forms of language can these glorious scenes 
be depicted? Color? Tint and love from 
which all beauties of earth’s manifold shad¬ 
ings might have been borrowed? The pure 
White Light of the Soul. 

Music? A Rapture of Harmony whence 
Orpheus and Apollo might have brought 
to Parnassus the first sound of Music? Or 
was it the “pipings of sweet Pan” that first 
enchained all earth creatures to music’s 
enthrallment? The perfect Silence of the 
Soul. 

All beautiful scenes of nature all Temples, 
palaces, cathedrals of rarest human art, fall 
away into nothingness amid the unlimita¬ 
tions the unfashioned the “Not Made with 
hands”: 


MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 87 


THE “LIVING TEMPLES” ARE THE 
ANGELS OF GOD. 

Sometimes the Angel-inspired poet of 
earth perceives glimpses of these glorious 
things—they weave themselves into the 
magic of his songs, and from the shadow- 
language of earth he forms the Epic of the 
skies; they crowd in manifold splendors 
through the empurpled gates of the sunset 
clouds with interblending tints and hues 
and forms of loveliness and the inspired 
artist catches from mountain brow and 
cloud pavilion a suggestion of somewhat 
that the glory of the Angel Realm might 
mean! Aye more often the lone watcher 
by the couch of a suffering one—one who 
is being released from pain and sorrow—ah 
—then and there the pure white light of the 
Angel fills the lowly chamber, pervades the 
encompassing atmosphere of earth shadows 
and makes of the hour of mortal agony a 
Supreme Triumph! 

One can thus readily realize that the An¬ 
gels do not remain continually apart in their 
ensphered joy, aware only of their own 
Divine Estate. 

THE PERFECT STATE OF BEING IS 

ALSO THE PERFECT STATE OF 

DOING 

Angels meet and mingle for added know- 



88 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 

ledge, added power to bear forward the 
great purposes of the Infinite; to aid those 
whom they are appointed to guard, teach, 
and guide. Nor are they ever away from 
the Kingdom Celestial. They are that 
Kingdom; whenever and wherever there is 
work to do, « 

THERE IS HEAVEN 

i 

Whenever an Angel approaches to aid one 
or many who are in spirit states (or earth 
forms,) the Angel seems to emerge from 
the ensphering brightness in two forms— 
as previously written: The perfect man, 
the perfect woman, and although never 
separated in purpose or work the manifest¬ 
ation of the two is an adaptation to the 
condition or state of those to whom the 
ministration is given. 

During the visits to this Angel’s Realm? 
one becomes aware that many, the most 
“Reluctant” ones the “Shining” ones, whom 
one had seen in spirit states as spirits were 
now, in their own Realm, Angels. Among 
the spirits, in their separate personalities, 
they were centers of groups of Shining ones 
who “love their fellow men” and who in 
Earth forms had led the Advance Guard 
of “Pioneers in human progress”. Rarely 
can one in human existence perceive the 
angel so embodied, but oh, what rapture 
thus while in their Realm to know with 




MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 89 

more and more awakened perception and 
understanding that those who have been 
ones ideals in human life are among the 
Angels of Light. 

In this Realm “Time” and “Space” (all 
the limitations of matter) are naught; 
therefore “to be present” Angels do not 
“wing their way” through leagues upon 
leagues of space to minister to those whom 
they guard and guide, nor does it mean 
that to “enter” the presence of the Angels 
in their own Realm (as far as one who is 
still linked with the earth form can be thus 
received) one must be “borne through 
space”' for thousands and thousands of 
leagues. 

As the Kingdom of heaven is within”, so 
those of the Angelic State flash their “pres¬ 
ence” their ministrations to those for whom 
they are intended. And instantaneously 
(simultaneously) the “message” is received 
by the one or many for whom it is intended 
(those in accord with the Angel.) 

Nothing in the Service of Physicists or 
even the comparatively profound depart¬ 
ments of “Psychic Research can illustrate 
this perfection of Angelic Ministration. 

In their perfect state the Supreme reality 
is Soul, the volition of the spirit becomes the 
illuminating force to reach those in any 
state. (Spirits, appointed by the Angel 
receive and convey it by adaptation) but 
those prepared receive it as it comes from 




90 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 

the Angel—simultaneously with the Volit¬ 
ion of the Angel—this is the “word” the 
“Logos.” 

This partly explains to our dull and feeble 
human comprehension the oft noted fact 
that true inspiration never is evolved by 
any mental process, but seems to flash at 
once into the consciousness of the one in¬ 
spired from the Inner (Higher) Realm. 
When, however, the ministration is to reach 
one or many on earth through the agency 
of ministering spirits, as is usually the case 
those spirits are chosen who are prepared 
by adaptation to receive the messages from 
the Angel and communicate them to those 
on earth for whom they are intended. 

These stages of adaptation show the wis¬ 
dom of the Heavenly Kingdom not only in 
imparting knowledge but to impart only 
that for which the recipients are ready. 
This latter statement reveals more per¬ 
fectly the wisdom of the skies: 

What to withhold is often more important 
than what to give, so limited is the range of 
human comprehension so feeble the glim¬ 
merings of scarcely awakened spiritual per¬ 
ception. 

“I have many things to tell you but ye 
cannot bear them now.” 

“Why can’t I know now”? Grown-up 
children are familiar with the illustrations 
of the “pint cup” will not hold a quart of 
water; “simple arithmetic before geoin- 



MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 91 


etry;” every human parent and teacher 
must say often and again! “Wait until you 
are older/’ meaning mentally as well as 
physically; yet human beings arrayed in 
their own shadows of self-importance meta¬ 
phorically challenge the skies and say! 
“If the Angels know why don’t they tell 
us”? But the people of earth are told, 
every day, every hour, the messages go 
forth, ever and anon, in clarion tones or in 
soft voiced whisperings the messages of the 
Angels are declared, the truths are an¬ 
nounced, but only those receive or perceive 
them who are awakened, who are ready. 

Who sees the glory flaring in the sunset 
sky? Who hears the voice of the child 
upon the street sobbing because of cold and 
hunger? Not the man interested only in 
“business” pursuits, not the woman whose 
only thought is “success in society” because 
of her wealth and adornments. 

Neither God nor the Angels ever accepted 
a challenge like this: 

“If God and the Angels know why do they 
not tell us” 

In their Kingdom of Love and Wisdom, of 
Knowledge because of Love and Wisdom, all 
that is valuable and important to know—as 
far as this planet is covered, is a part of 
the possessions of the Angels; and here 
from whence all real activities toward and 
upon the earth proceed, the doing is not ac¬ 
companied by the indecision as to method, 






92 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 

time and place, as is the case even among 
the skillful experimenters of earth, for here 
we learn that all that is usually considered 
“doing something” in earth-life is but the 
preparation, the growth toward the state of 
these Angelic Beings who do because they 
know. 

Block houses for the babies; palaces 
churches, prisons for children of older 
years; lispings of baby lips to frame hu¬ 
man speech, questionings, laughter, quaint 
remarks and crude performances of grow¬ 
ing children are but illustrations, in degree, 
of the equally imperfect crude and incom¬ 
plete efforts of grown-up children and 
nations. All these stages and conditions of 
growth have their final solution here in 
this Super-Real Realm. 

THE ANGELS HASTE NOT THEY DO 
NOT DELAY: When the lives that are en¬ 
folding form within are ready the Angels 
know and perform their work according to 
the needs of those in their charge. 

How transcendently great is THE 
WORK OF THE ANGELS! People often 
say in human life, people who consider 
themselves “intelligent” “brilliant of mind”: 
“If the Angels have such Knowledge and 
power why do they not stay the hand of the 
criminal, why do they not stop this cruel 
war?” or some other human—that appeals 
to them as most important. Thev do not 
yet fully understand that each soul em- 



MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 93 

bodied on earth must “work out its own sal¬ 
vation 5 ’, aided, of course by all the helps the 
Infinite has provided. 

How little is known by mortals of what 
the Angels really do Unknowingly as a 
babe receives the care and protection of the 
loving parents so do human lives receive 
appropriate to their own uses, but seldom 
recognize the angelic blessings that are the 
soul of their daily existence. “Having 
eyes they see not, having ears they hear 
not” and having minds they do not under¬ 
stand the works of the Angels that are all 
around them; The Angels “call” and none 
hear except the few; the Angels “appear” 
yet none save those who are illumined, see 
the stupendous works of the Angels pioving 
forward to accomplishment, the ages alone 
reveal them to the slowly awakening and 
unfolding minds of Earth. But all people 
must grow by experience, they must gain 
victory by winning it. 

There are, indeed, aids—temporary 
moral and Spiritual helps, Angelic crutches 
for those in states of moral and spiritual 
deformity, yet these states like all other 
imperfections are to be outgrown from 
within by overcoming. Divine pity and 
compassion certainly do abide and are given 
in Angel Ministration. Through every 
stage of human lack of enfoldment there is 
ever the helpfulness from all the lives that 
have won the Victory! Admonitions, warn- 


9 \ MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 

ings, instruction. Ah when the “Inner 
Way” is opened by actual growth how clear 
and plain the path appears that was tangled 
and “over grown” when one did not know 
that the voice from within is the voice 
of the Angel, the voice of the Soul. Thus 
each climbs to the attainment, to Angel¬ 
hood by all the steps of Self Conquest. 

A MIGHTY PURPOSE 

Attention was drawn to a Comnany of 
Angelic Beings, Spheral Splendors that 
formed a Constellation of rarest radiance, 
moving upon a vast number of mortals and 
spirits for a mighty purpose. 

No wonders of a “Night of Stars” seen in 
the firmament above the earth, no con¬ 
stellation of Sons beheld through dist¬ 
ances innumerable and through earth- 
enshrouded atmosphere: belted Orion, Cas- 
siopeid, Andromeda, ah, those systems of 
Suns fade before the glory of that Resplen¬ 
dent Company, radiating its all-potent in¬ 
fluence upon those in Spirit and human 
states who were prepared to receive it. 

Even these Angels of Earth and Celestial 
Kingdom, although moved upon by those 
more Transcendently Glorious Beings, can¬ 
not know their full splendor, much less can 
one enshrouded in earth form and sur¬ 
rounded by earth scenes, attempt to des¬ 
cribe their majesty and power! 

That which was shown was a Work of 



MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 95 


Wonder; so vast, so far-reaching, that it 
seemed the very Highest Heavens had 
opened to unite the Heavens and the Earth! 
The vast Angel Company poured its Light 
upon those who were to receive it, through 
the Angelic states of Earth, through those 
in spirit states that could be illumined, to 
One upon the Earth, wearing the human 
form who had gathered such lives as were 
ready; these with one accord, Angels, Spi¬ 
rits, those in human forms and the One who 
was their leader, were moved upon by that 
all-conquering Angelic Power. 

Those upon Earth who were thus pre¬ 
pared were borne to the heights of Enthus¬ 
iasm and of doing; the realization of an all- 
time Dream, an Ideal of the Ages; others in 
human life,, half turned to the glory but 
were sad because they could not follow; 
others mockingly derided the theme and the 
Workers—yet, far within, knowing its 
truth; while larger numbers did not even 
know of the theme, the Movement, nor the 
Workers. 

AH, THE ANGELS KNEW 

They did pour out the “Flaming Fire” of 
their Truth through the states of Angels, 
Spirits, Mortals who were ready! And 
they are succeeding! The Work is to be 
Accomplished! 

As written in the foregoing, those in the 
shadow states do not even know when such 
ci “Movement” is in existence. 




96 A i EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 


Lives of the All-Glorious Light, tracings 
of the perfect Beauty, intertwining, inter¬ 
lacing, interblending and pervading the 
lives of the Illuminated Ones indicate, to 
those who can perceive, the Stupendous 
Work that is being borne forward. Some¬ 
times a work is accomplished with a 

MIGHTY SWIRL 

A purpose and power that sweep in and 
through the lives of persons, of a people, or 
of nations; or a portion of the people among 
all the nations of the Earth. In such a 
“Movement” there is a great upheaval, a 
tottering and falling of Kingdoms and 
thrones (of Kings and Rulers) and a 

Great Day Dawn for Humanity 

“The former things pass away”; the “New 
Heavens and the New Earth” appear. 

AN EMBODIED ANGEL 

I beheld a shaft of Light extending from the 
Angelic state to one in Earth-form; en¬ 
dowed with such wonderful gifts that all 
the elements of Earth and air seemed obed¬ 
ient to his command. 

He ever worked in harmony with the 
“laws of Nature” where those laws were 
known, but in his higher range of activity 
of mind and spirit he revealed other “laws” 
and more subtle elements not previously 



MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 97 

known, and he knew the way to apply them 
to the uses of his fellow mortals. As he 
worked I beheld the higher Angelic Source 
of his illumination, sending a radiance and 
splendor of such transcendent Light and 
Power that I marveled that it did not pene¬ 
trate even the dull human vision of those 
who were near him in human forms. Yet 
the future yeajrs, perhaps ages, alone can 
reveal all the wonderful work of the wond¬ 
erful Life. 

HIGHER AND STILL HIGHER! 

There are degrees of Angelic states in the 
Heavens of the Earth, and these were per¬ 
ceived to extend in vast encircling spheres 
of Glorified Beings (onward—upward—in¬ 
ward—outward?) until they meet and are 
merged in some degree with SUPERIOR 
BEINGS FROM A MORE ADVANCED 
PLANET of our Solar System. 

While the more advanced Angels of Earth 
and of the Higher Estate never seem to live 
and work in a reflected glory, but are their 
own light; living, working in the radiance 
and through them Knowledge from those 
still Higher states, those more perfect ones 
who move upon and illuminate the shining 
Angels of Earth, and far, FAR, FAR in the 
innermost and UTTERMOST states of 
ARCH ANGELS must be those who hold 




98 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 

THE KEYS OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF 
THE UNIVERSE! 

The Angel Guide (Mother Love, Father 
Wisdom) ever in these ecstatic experiences 
drew one more and more into the 

WORK OF THE ANGELS. 

For, as previously written, in that Realm is 
the Origin of all real Work. Things which 
must be solved or attempted in the human 
state in the Experimental Crises of Experi¬ 
ence are here solved in the Divine Alembic 
of the Soul (Love and Wisdom) are posses¬ 
sions. 

“Problems” that must be “computed” in 
the one perfect Science of Earth (Mathe¬ 
matics) are known in the Angel state. Even 
in the imparted light or perception awak¬ 
ened by the Angel Guide one found it pos¬ 
sible to perceive that the “perplexing prob¬ 
lems” of the human state are solved; in¬ 
deed they are not. The Angel way is the 
only way of release from them, and we have 
the assurance that all Souls find that way 
by GROWTH FROM WITHIN: Conquest, 
Victory, Attainment! All this is perfectly 
clear and plain when one is in the uncloud¬ 
ed, uncontaminated, (and unconditioned) 
Light of that Realm Radiant, but cannot be 
known when one is passing through the 
Shadows of Earth Experiences. 

A Splendor drew us by that attraction 



MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 99 


instantly known to the Angel Guide. The 
ensphering radiance enfolded us and I was 
enabled to perceive. 

THE ANGEL OF A CAUSE known on 
Earth; One who through opposition, oblo j 
quy and persecution carried forward a 
GREAT WORK on and on to fulfillment. 
Even in Earth-life and spirit state one could 
realize the majesty and beauty of such a 
life; its simplicity, its singleness of pur¬ 
pose; its humility yet its wonderful Power 
in the exposure of WRONG, in the present¬ 
ation of RIGHT. One fain would follow 
the impulse of John upon Patmas when he 
beheld the Angel in the Apocalyptic vision, 
fall down and worship, but one must 
“worship God.” The communion thus in¬ 
vited was of those Great and Vital themes 
that now engage the Angel and the Group 
of Shining Ones who are bearing them for¬ 
ward in the Spirit and Earth states. When 
thus illuminated and inspired in the Sphere 
of the 

REAL WORKERS 

How one longs to hasten with “swift sand¬ 
alled feet” to bear the Divine Message to the 
world: The Love and Wisdom that mean 
Justice, Freedom, Fraternity, Peace, but 
one is admonished. 

The Angels can Work. 

The Angels can Wait. 

They perceive, they know, they do. They 



100 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 

are not discouraged, they are unafraid, un¬ 
dismayed—that human awakening and pro¬ 
gress seem so Slow. In that Transcendent 
state and its Baptismal Communion one 
knows that a day, a century, an age of 
earthly time count as naught in the SouPs 
Eternity! 

Thus one becomes approximately able 
to perceive Group after Group of 
these Celestial Beings, these Refulgent 
Ones, and to know the themes and wonders 
of the works they perform. The mists that 
enshroud earth minds, the dimness of the 
spiritual perception of most of those im¬ 
mersed in “Time” and “Sense”, in preoccu¬ 
pation by material things do not permit 
even a suggestion of what those themes and 
works might be. But all will be fulfilled 
when enfoldment and growth make ready 
the human lives that are to receive them. 

Sphere upon Sphere, unnumbered Hosts 
of Orbed Splendors! (If the senses could 
be used how they would fail! Eyes would 
be blinded, ears could not hear; and the 
mind which is adjusted to Earth’s limita¬ 
tions would falter and fail upon the very 
verge of its attempt to understand!) 

If Beauty is form and color then would 
it utterly vanish before the Soul of it, and 
rarest Symphonies of Earth Music would 
be discord and sink away in the Divine 
RAPTURE OF CELESTIAL HARMONY! 
Although not of it one could, in some degree 


MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 101 


know its uneffable, ecstatic delight, all born 
of the 

Love which is Being.. 

Wisdom which is Doing. 

A LIGHT FROM BEYOND 

From beyond the farthermost, uttermost of 
those Angelic States that one was permitted 
to perceive or of which one could have per¬ 
ception, there was a flashing of 

SUPER-LIGHT 

So intensely brilliant so far more tran- 
sendently Radiant that in its glory even the 
highest Angelic States of Earth seemed 
dim, and from the Earth, even from one in 
human form a similar brilliance responded 
illuminating the Angels with an added 
glory. “This revealed the Guide” is a mes¬ 
sage from Mars. As you have been taught 
the Angel and Spirit states of Mars are as 
far in advance of the Spirit and Angel 
states of Earth as is the planet and as are 
its inhabitants superior in enfoldment to 
those of Earth.” 

“The dazzling Line of Light perceived, 
revealed a life embodied in Earth form for 
a particular Work, it was a message from 
an Angel of MARS, to one (also from 
MARS, thus embodied, Angels of Earth are 


102 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 

made participants in such messages and 
work, when they are prepared and ap¬ 
pointed by the higher ones to aid that work; 
but if Angels of Earth are not ready and 
have no part in the work they may 
not even know the message is Sent. (So 
explained the Angel Guide) ‘that which 
one might, if aided, perceive as “light”, to 
those in this Realm who are chosen for the 
work would be the Message—the communi¬ 
cation.”- Higher and still Higher; Inner 
and still more Inner; Resplendence crown¬ 
ing Resplendence! If human vision falls 
and fails before the noonday brightness of 
the sun of our Solar System, what must be¬ 
fall even the Innermost perception when 
such All-Glorious states of Being are even 
partly revealed? How more than doubly 
tutile any attempt at portraying the added 
glory of those more perfect states! What 
language, what thought can reveal those 
Celestial Beings who were moving upon 
Angelic states of Earth, and upon a mighty 
Life on Earth for a mighty Work? 

OTHER PLANETS 

“No human Spirit, whether embodied or in 
spirit states of Earth, can be made to know 
(understand) the states of those in spirit or 
Angel spheres of planets more advanced 
than Earth; even MARS, next in the order 
of planets (from the sun) beyond Earth is 


MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 103 


so superior in Spiritual unfoldment that 
only the highest Angels of Earth can per¬ 
ceive and receive somewhat of the minis¬ 
trations from that Realm. There are no 
terms yet existing in the continually in¬ 
creasing Vocabulary of Earth-Scientists to 
express even the material conditions of that 
planet, much less are there words thoughts 
or mental perceptions capable of conveying 
or even imagining the spirit and angel states 
of the higher planets beyond the orbit of 
Mars.” 

(Even as I write these feeble words, 
the brilliant radiance of Jupiter is 
gleaming in the sky—and over the south¬ 
eastern horizon Sirius—that distant sun of 
splendor glows and scintillates with such 
radiance that one trembles to even dream 
what are the Kingdoms of Divine Intelli¬ 
gences associated with those higher planets 
—and still higher; those far distant Suns 
that can transform even the sky of earthly 
vision into such a dome of Wonder!) The 
Angel Guide had said, and the teaching had 
been previously given, that the chosen (pre¬ 
pared) Angels of Earth may know the im¬ 
port of the message that some messenger 
from Mars gives to Earth when there is 
need and preparation on Earth for the 
message to be given. Sometimes, during a 
rare period like that herein seen, such a 
messenger visits the Earth in human guise. 

We have no key in mortal life to reveal 


104 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 

the personality of the messenger from Mars 
who may be in our midst, but the (shaft of) 
“light” that was shown in this vision was 
so unlike that of any of the Angels 
of Earth; scintillating, flashing, gleaming 
in the dim night of Earth’s beclouded spirit¬ 
ual atmosphere such resplendence as seems 
to belong to the planet itself when seen 
through the clearest physical atmosphere 
that Earth ever knows. Such was that 
line of light shown in this overwhelming 
vision connecting One on Earth with One 
in the Martian Spheres. “A Martian is 
embodied in Earth-form at the present 
time. No human being, no Spirit of Earth, 
none but the Angels who are aiding in the 
work being performed by that 

VISITANT FROM MARS 

can know the personality of that one, nor 
can they know the work being accom¬ 
plished. A group of Earth’s Angels who are 
aiding in that work are also in human 
forms. They are linked with the Higher 
Angels in Earth’s Celestial Kingdom and 
receive the messages that are to bear for¬ 
ward the work. 

A MARTIAN NEVER FAILS 

(Except in some supreme illustration that is 
to show the Success of Failure.) 

The time, the Earth, and the condition of 


MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY lOo 

the people are ready when the Martian ap¬ 
pears, whether he comes as a Nemesis or as 
a MESSENGER of Peace and JOY. “Thus 
spake the Angel Guide. 

Supreme as were the states revealed in 
this entire experience, how paltry seem the 
things so engrossed to human lives; strug¬ 
gles, warfare, self-seeking; aims of pride, 
ambition and the weak and vapid things 
named “mirth” and “pleasure; all seem like 
the petty bickerings and play of little child¬ 
ren that the kindly teachers and loving par¬ 
ents are called upon to adjust. Yet even, 
in these infantile conditions—alike of 
children and people—are enfolded the 
future of each spirit, the coming forth of 
the soul, with outward activity and triumph 
and the ultimate expression of the Angel. 

“No one” the Guide further explained 
“can light an earth-taper in the glorious 
radiance of Mars or of the Angel Realm of 
earth and hope to find by searching for this 
Resplendent Being now embodied upon 
earth; the “honest man” whom the ancient 
philosopher sought might be more easily 
discovered. As in a dungeon long closed 
the vapors extinguish an external light, so 
this heavenly brightness can be seen only 
by those whose aura-sphere is their own 
light and these can illumine from within 
and perceive from Kingdoms Transcendent 
the Luminous One abides in the dark and 
noisome atmosphere of Earth.” 



106 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 

One having seen a glimpse of the “light” 
of that state might know the “light”, were 
it shown when one is in the human state; 
but that cannot be. 

The “Line of Light” from the Martian 

sphere of souls to one on the earth served 

as an illustration that the transmission of 

• 

messages to prepared lives from prepared 
ministrants is unbroken, cannot be dis¬ 
turbed by any surrounding or, intermediate 
mental or spiritual states. In fact the mes¬ 
sage is instantaneous, and can only reach 
the one to whom it is sent. 

Ah! how futile is the pen, how inadequate 
human language, how small and circum¬ 
scribed the scope of earthly power to por¬ 
tray even a suggestion of these supernal 
states! The words indeed are here; but the 
essence, the soul of the experience is un- 
transcribable! 

To have been thus at the very portals, 
within the ante-chamber of the Inner Shrine 
of the Kingdom Celestial, to know that the 
“Holy of Holies” is there—just within, and 
to realize that the words and sentences, of 
these pages are not telling, cannot tell that 
which was unfolded and enfolded in the en¬ 
rapturing, ecstatic spheres of “Light,” that 
every step toward attainment such as the 
Angels know must be from within, and to 
realize that even the permitted Vision and, 
visitation is an adaptation! Ah, dearly 
beloved friends who read these imperfect 


MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 107 


pages—remember; one cannot describe the 
Kingdom Celestial. 

Yet even as one ever must return in 
thought, in sweetest and fondest remini¬ 
scence to the scenes most beautiful, the 
occasions most dear and sacred, in earth- 
life, so one cannot fail to return—it is an 
abiding ever-presence,—to the ineffable this 
beatific experience and try to impart some¬ 
what of the Soul of it to those who read 
these pages, perfectly well aware that noth¬ 
ing of its glory can be portrayed, but that 
which the reader brings is the beauty that 
will be received. 

This Kingdom forever abides, is the pri¬ 
mal and final possession of all Souls; is the 
Innermost and Uttermost of that, which 
follows the struggle with the conquest over 
time and sense, is Divine attainment. 

The artist of earth is baffled when he 
attempts to reproduce or suggest the gor¬ 
geous sunset; the tints and tones and cloud- 
pictures change and fade before he can even 
put his brush to canvas; the mind picture 
above remains, but—here, here in this 
Realm of Divine Realities where the Soul 
of All Beauty is forever and ever “eternal 
in the Heavens/' all that is perfect abides 
forever and ever, and is of God; of the Soul! 
One must not despair if human language 
fails, if it were adequate, if it could portray 
these themes, then the perfect, the Divine, 
the eternal would not be! 


108 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 

These experiences were for respite, for 
instruction, and to bear to mortals as far 
as feeble human power would permit. 

THE MESSAGE OF THE ANGELS 

Ever, ever is that message at the doors 
of human life, alas! too often unheeded. 

THE SUPREME MESSAGE IS, THAT 
THE ANGELS, IN THEIR STATE OF 
PERFECT LOVE AND WISDOM ARE 
UNCONSCIOUS OF THEIR SURPASS¬ 
ING SPLENDOR. 

Attainment of perfections knows no self¬ 
laudation, self-praise, self-congratulation. 

Divine Compassion, perfect helpfulness 
in the time, place and to the condition 
needed, aid/to spirits and mortals by the 
perfect plan of adaptation. These are 
their manifestations of perfection. 

The higher and more perfect the Angels, 
the greater is their knowledge, their com¬ 
miseration and pitying Love for those amid 
the shadows, and proportionately great the 
joy, of Being and Doing.... 

The next Great Message brought with 
me to the outer world is: 

ANGELS CAN WORK: 

ANGELS CAN WAIT. 

So simple is the illustration that “he who 
runs may read:” 


MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 103 


The seed is sown by the fanner in the best 
soil under the best conditions available, 
(according to his knowledge) he cannot 
force the growth; he must wait for sun¬ 
shine and shadow and rain to cause the 
seeds to germinate and grow and “ripen 
unto the harvest.” “Doing something” to 
that field of grain would mar or destroy it. 

Another illustration, familiar in our 
human states: the child is taught the rudi¬ 
ments of expression of whatever knowledge 
is adapted to the child. It would be worse 
than folly to try to teach that which is 
beyond the growth of the child—mentally, 
morally, and physically— the state of each 
particular child, however, being duly con¬ 
sidered, requiring different training, both as 
to methods and that which is taught 

In the Angel states, where Knowledge 
seems to have its fountain source, as far as 
earth-lives are concerned, the Angel Teach¬ 
ers know, What to teach; When to teach. 
They know the seed time growth and har¬ 
vest of those minds (spirits) to whom they 
are the Guardians and Teachers. They 
know how to wait for growth, and to foster 
that growth in all permitted ways, (ways 
that shall not interfere with true unfold- 
ment from within). The shadows and 
sunshine, the storms and struggles in earth 
states are to be outgrown and overcome. 

Above and beyond all is 


110 MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 

THE LOVE AND WISDOM OF THE 

ANGELS. 

Their state of perfection is the function of 
their perfect victory; the work they per¬ 
form is the 

REAL WORK OF THE WORLD 

Perfect knowledge and the perfect applica¬ 
tion of that knowledge to the real uses 
(experiences) of life is The Real Work. 
The ministration is to the lives in their 
charge, aiding, waiting for the growth 
toward and unto Angelhood. 

All this, and a thousand times more, was 
perceived and borne unto the treasure- 
house of the spirit, to come forth at need in 
ones own human state, or in aiding others, 
—as, possibly this writing may do—to bear 
and do their part as step by step each one 
must go on and over the stony, thorny and 
upward way. 

THE ANGELIC VISION 

Widened, deepened, became more and 
more surprisingly glorious with the radi¬ 
ance that came from the Higher Angels. 

Sphere on Sphere of Orbed Splendors 
moving upon the Angel and Spirit states of 
Earth, the radiance ever more and more 
resplendently bright, the Angelic Beings 
more and more gloriously perfect. 


MY EXPERIENCES WHILE OUT OF MY BODY 111 


Far, far in the innermost, the uttermost 
of all that the awakened Soul could percieve 
were the 


GLORIFIED BEINGS, 

the ALL COMPASSIONAL ONES, who 
wore the garments of Earth in the “Simili¬ 
tude of the sons of men.” 

Beyond the Arch Angels, could be per- 
cieved the 

GREAT DIVINE TEACHER 
Saying: 

“ Come unto me, all ye that are weary and 
heavily laden and I will give you rest.” 

“A new Commandment I give unto you 
that ye Love One Another.” 

“Be ye Perfect even as your Father in 
Heaven is Perfect.” 








































































































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